News
Report shows DND warned aging search and rescue planes’s survival uncertain

May 26, 2008, Ottawa – The Canadian military has reportedly been warned there's
no guarantee the aging search-and-rescue planes used to patrol the
West Coast and B.C. mountains will be able to fly until 2015, when
Ottawa plans to replace them.

The Globe and Mail has obtained documents that suggest an
internal review of extending the lifespan of the CC-115 Buffalos
warned the Department of National Defence that the ability to keep
repairing the aircraft is uncertain.

The review, conducted between April, 2006, and April, 2007, says
that nothing guarantees DND that current suppliers and refit and
overhaul contractors “will remain faithful until 2015.''

The former Liberal government earmarked $1.3 billion in the 2004
budget to buy new search-and-rescue planes as early as January,
2009, but they didn't move ahead with it, and neither has the
Conservative government.

Defence spending has focused on the war in Afghanistan, such as
the $3.4 billion paid for C-17 cargo-lifter planes last year.

NDP defence critic Dawn Black says replacing the aircraft should
be a priority, especially with the 2010 Winter Olympics expected to
draw thousands of tourists to B.C. where they might run into trouble
while travelling.