Supporters of the government's actions argue that the administration has been the most proactive in decades regarding the renewal of the civil security fleet. They point out that for nearly 20 years, no new Canadair aircraft were ordered, leaving the country to rely on an aging inventory. By working within the European Union framework, the government successfully helped restart the production line for new-generation aircraft, a feat that required complex international cooperation rather than simple national procurement.
From this perspective, the focus on the 2024 budget adjustment is viewed as a political distraction that ignores the reality of global supply chains. Even if additional orders had been placed in 2024, the manufacturer, De Havilland, faces a massive backlog, meaning the planes would not have been available for the current fire season regardless. Officials emphasize that the government has prioritized the most effective path forward by securing firm orders for 2028 and investing in a diverse fleet that includes Dash-8 aircraft and helicopters to maintain operational capacity.
Furthermore, proponents argue that the government is actively seeking long-term solutions, such as the development of a sovereign European water bomber, to end the current dependency on a single Canadian manufacturer. By framing the debate around a supposed cancellation, critics are accused of playing politics with public safety while ignoring the logistical constraints of the aviation industry. The government maintains that its current strategy is the only realistic way to ensure a sustainable and modern firefighting force for the future.