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Vancouver Sun
03-07-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
It's not 'elbows up' approach as RCMP renews contracts for American helicopters, industry association says
OTTAWA — The RCMP has renewed the contracts for three Black Hawk helicopters to patrol the Canada-U.S. border, despite accusations by the industry association that the contracts are the opposite of the government's 'elbows up' approach and that the choppers don't meet the government's own safety regulations. RCMP spokesman Andrew DiRienzo confirmed that the federal police has decided to rehire the three helicopters for at least the next three months. The contracts for the second-hand helicopters, purchased by private contractors after the U.S. military decided to update much of its own fleet, kicked in on Canada Day. The new contracts follow a National Post investigation that revealed that four Black Hawks were purchased by Canadian contractors who then signed patrolling contracts with the RCMP for three of them. The other was hired by the Alberta government. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The existing RCMP contracts for three of the choppers, worth an estimated $16 million, expired June 30. Documents showed that the Canadian helicopter industry had accused Ottawa of breaking its own rules, for example, by allowing the used choppers to carry passengers or even flying over developed areas. The Black Hawks have been used mostly to patrol the border in search of illegal migrants, drug smugglers and other illicit activities. Trevor Mitchell, chief executive of the Helicopter Association of Canada (HAC), said he was very surprised that the RCMP would sign another contract to lease the American Black Hawks, while Canadian manufacturers offer rival products that can do at least as good a job. 'I can't see how any of this transpires into an elbows-up policy, or a Canada-first policy.' According to the government's Canadian Civil Aircraft Register, the four Sikorsky Black Hawk UH 60As were imported into Canada between 2022 and last year. They were granted highly unusual special exemptions by Transport Canada that, according to a series of letters to senior government officials from the Canadian helicopter association, allowed the four choppers to do non-military jobs in Canadian air space. In a March 20 letter to Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland, the association said even the conditions attached to the exemptions have not been followed. 'We urge you to direct your department to ensure the safety restrictions attached to these aircraft are strictly enforced for the balance of the RCMP's contract and that the Force be urged to select a certified aircraft before the contract expires.' HAC also says that the twin-engine Black Hawks didn't come with 'type certificates,' which act like recipe books for new owners in that they provide details about the aircraft's parts and how it should be maintained. Freeland has not responded to interview requests on this subject for the last three weeks. A spokesperson has not responded to specific questions but instead released a prepared statement that emphasized the importance of safety. The statement also said that the exemptions from Transport Canada allowed the aircraft to operate in Canada in specialized roles 'subject to strict conditions,' such as not being allowed to carry fare-paying passengers or cargo. Despite its reluctance to discuss the matter, the federal government is well aware of the situation involving the Black Hawks and the industry's concerns. In the spring of 2024, following interactions with HAC, former Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez directed his officials to pause the issuing of special exemptions for the Black Hawks. But in September of that year, Rodriguez resigned from the federal cabinet to run for leader of the Quebec Liberal party. He was replaced at Transport for about seven months by Anita Anand, now the Foreign Affairs minister. She was then replaced in the new year by Chrystia Freeland, after Mark Carney became prime minister. Neither Anand nor Freeland has clarified the government's view of the situation or publicly commented on the special exemptions for the Black Hawks. Although the Black Hawk contracts pre-date the re-election earlier this year of U.S. President Donald Trump, Canada's enhanced border patrol is in sync with the White House's escalation of concern about illegal migrants and illegal drugs entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and elsewhere. But it's not like there aren't other – even domestic – options beyond Black Hawks. Mitchell says Canada has about 200 companies that offer helicopter services and pilots to fly them. Their collective fleets comprise about 1,700 choppers, many of which might be better suited than Black Hawks for patrol duties because they're smaller and equipped with infra-red cameras that allow them to work in the dark. The military and the RCMP also have their own fleets. But if the RCMP's own helicopters weren't enough, Mitchell said, it would have no problem finding private contractors to help them patrol. Helicopters are valued for their versatility and mobility. In Canada, they're mostly used for search and rescue, fighting forest fires, helping combat floods, and commercial applications in remote areas such as mining and electrical lines. But five-seat helicopters are typically used for patrol because they're more nimble and cheaper to operate than a larger, 14-seater such as Sikorsky's Black Hawk. According to a February 10 letter by HAC to RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, the choppers have not been approved by Canadian or American authorities for civilian purposes. The RCMP's Black Hawk contracts overlap with Carney's vow to increase Canada's military spending so that it reaches the NATO target of 2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). Carney has also vowed to do more to support Canadian business and to rely less on the U.S. Industry sources say the older Black Hawks were selling in recent months for about $1 million each, as the market became flooded with supply. The market for used helicopters has grown in recent years as the U.S. military has modernized its fleet, including the purchase of a newer model of Black Hawks, called the UH-60M. That has pushed a number of older, but still functional Black Hawks to the second-hand market. Prices of new and used aircraft vary widely, depending on a range of factors. But a new five-seat helicopter, including those made in Canada, sells for about $6.5 million, while a new 14-seater, similar in size to the Black Hawks, goes for about $12 million. Bell Textron, a subsidiary of Fort Worth, Tex.-based Textron, makes commercial helicopters at its Mirabel, Que. facilities. Its lineup of models includes the Bell 412, which could be used for border patrol. Airbus Helicopters Canada, formerly MBB Helicopter Canada, has a 300-employee site at Fort Erie, Ont. That location focuses largely on sales, repair, engineering and composite manufacturing. The Black Hawk, made by Sikorsky Aircraft, is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift chopper in the 'military utility' product niche. Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky was founded by the Russian-American aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky in 1923. Carney, meanwhile, issued a statement earlier this month saying that Canada plans to boost its defence spending by $9.3 billion to $54.3 billion. The money will be used on a range of items, including submarines, ships, armoured vehicles and aircraft, as well as new drones and sensors for monitoring the Arctic and seafloor. In the government's latest signal that it intends to create some distance from the U.S. since Trump imposed a wide range of debilitating tariffs on Canadian exports, Carney said Canada wants to reduce how much of its defence budget goes to purchases of American equipment. The prime minister has said that about 75 per cent of Canada's capital spending on defence heads to the U.S. National Post Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
03-07-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
It's not 'elbows up' approach as RCMP renews contracts for American helicopters, industry association says
OTTAWA — The RCMP has renewed the contracts for three Black Hawk helicopters to patrol the Canada-U.S. border, despite accusations by the industry association that the contracts are the opposite of the government's 'elbows up' approach and that the choppers don't meet the government's own safety regulations. Article content RCMP spokesman Andrew DiRienzo confirmed that the federal police has decided to rehire the three helicopters for at least the next three months. The contracts for the second-hand helicopters, purchased by private contractors after the U.S. military decided to update much of its own fleet, kicked in on Canada Day. Article content Article content The new contracts follow a National Post investigation that revealed that four Black Hawks were purchased by Canadian contractors who then signed patrolling contracts with the RCMP for three of them. The other was hired by the Alberta government. Article content Documents showed that the Canadian helicopter industry had accused Ottawa of breaking its own rules, for example, by allowing the used choppers to carry passengers or even flying over developed areas. The Black Hawks have been used mostly to patrol the border in search of illegal migrants, drug smugglers and other illicit activities. Article content Trevor Mitchell, chief executive of the Helicopter Association of Canada (HAC), said he was very surprised that the RCMP would sign another contract to lease the American Black Hawks, while Canadian manufacturers offer rival products that can do at least as good a job. 'I can't see how any of this transpires into an elbows-up policy, or a Canada-first policy.' Article content Article content According to the government's Canadian Civil Aircraft Register, the four Sikorsky Black Hawk UH 60As were imported into Canada between 2022 and last year. They were granted highly unusual special exemptions by Transport Canada that, according to a series of letters to senior government officials from the Canadian helicopter association, allowed the four choppers to do non-military jobs in Canadian air space. Article content Article content In a March 20 letter to Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland, the association said even the conditions attached to the exemptions have not been followed. 'We urge you to direct your department to ensure the safety restrictions attached to these aircraft are strictly enforced for the balance of the RCMP's contract and that the Force be urged to select a certified aircraft before the contract expires.' Article content HAC also says that the twin-engine Black Hawks didn't come with 'type certificates,' which act like recipe books for new owners in that they provide details about the aircraft's parts and how it should be maintained.
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
The London oasis every cricket player should visit
You climb the stairs at Old Street Station, hauling a cumbersome cricket bag into the East London sunshine. The hipsters and creatives barely give you a cursory glance, presumably unaware of what lies just a five-minute walk away. Take the left bend on Old Street, veer down City Road, past some corner shops and the Bunhill Fields burial grounds where William Blake now rests, and there, through a black iron gate, you find an oasis. Surrounded on three sides by towering city buildings is the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) Cricket Club. The manicured pitches and lush green outfield stand out like a velvet rug draped over cold concrete. The pavilion is no mere clubhouse. It is a museum chronicling more than 300 years of history including the first recorded cricket match here in 1725, sweeping across three centuries of imperialism, conflict and sport. 'It's unlike any cricket ground in the UK, probably the world,' beams Edward Haines, the club's first XI captain and a former lance lance sergeant in the Territorial Army's Artillery Reconnaissance regiment. 'You never get tired of seeing people come across the ground for the first time. The look on their faces tells you how special this place is and how much history it holds.' The ground boasts a number of cricketing milestones. On 2 June 1744 the Duke of Richmond assembled a team from Kent to take on a local London side. Instructions for attending the game were clear: 'All persons that go out of the Ground during the match and intend to return again, are desired to take a Ticket, otherwise they will not be readmitted.' This marks the earliest known instance of punters needing a ticket to watch a cricket match. Kent's 55-run victory is recorded in the sport's oldest surviving scorecard. The game's popularity was clear. Two weeks later, when the Duke of Dorset arrived for a fixture against All England in a contest billed as 'the greatest cricket match ever known', spectators were charged a tuppence (two pence) to attend, the first time anyone had to pay to watch a game. Despite a 'great disorder', around 8,000 people were wedged around the ground and kept off the field under threat of a leather lash. 'We're lucky if we get a dozen spectators watching us today,' says Haines, who has just completed eight matches in nine days in celebration of the club's anniversary. 'When I'm skipper, I'm too busy thinking about bowling changes and how to get the next wicket. But when I do stop and allow myself to contemplate the history of the place, it is quite extraordinary.' The ground beneath Haines' feet was once trodden by Edward 'Lumpy' Stevens, who earned his nickname thanks to his ability to locate uneven bumps on the pitch with unerringly accurate underarm bowling. In a game in May 1775, the man regarded as cricket's first great bowler proved unplayable to Hambledon's John Small. Three times Stevens beat Small's defence and bowled him through the gate. That would have been the end of things but for the absence of a middle stump. Following Small's victory, regarded as an injustice by witnesses, the use of three stumps began to be commonplace before their use was codified in the laws of the game in 1785. Cricket at the HAC was under threat towards the end of the 18th century as a result of unruly behaviour and clashes with military activities. It was only in 1846 – thanks to a sanction from HAC's Captain-General, Prince Albert – that the sport was once again permitted 'subject to regulation for ensuring the order and discipline of the Corps.' Cricket has long been entangled with Britain's colonial project. It was soldiers carrying bibles, bullets and bats who spread the game around the world. Matches were held in garrisons from Jamaica to Rawalpindi, often reinforcing imperial hierarchies. The sport was as much a performance of Englishness as it was a weapon of soft power. Those imperial echoes remain visible at the HAC. Several large cannons look out over the field. Inside the pavilion are plaques honouring the deeds of British troops in the name of empire. The HAC's first overseas deployment came during the Second Boer War in South Africa, a brutal imperial campaign in which six of its members were killed, as well as two Test cricketers: John Ferris of Australia and Frank Milligan of England. Cricket at the HAC survived an enforced hiatus during the First World War when play was suspended. The pitch transformed into a mobile anti-aircraft station while the outfield was dug up for trench warfare training. Play resumed after the Armistice and continued through the second world war. The HAC exemplifies cricket's ability to endure upheaval and also the sport's adaptability. 'We now have a commonwealth of players,' says Haines, proud of his teammates from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. 'We don't shy away from any uncomfortable strands of our history but we choose to celebrate what we have now and where we've come from. We've recruited people from around the world to the regiment and the cricket club has played a key role in that.' Even in the shadow of empire, a cricket ground in East London can still be a site of joy, escape, and community. It may have once been a proving ground for soldiers. Now, it's a stage for something far gentler. If nothing else, a game here should be on every player's bucket list. My favourite cricket book ever written is Mike Marqusee's Anyone but England. Whenever someone refers to Lord's as the 'Home of Cricket' or talks about the 'proper' way of playing I scoff and roll my eyes. With those caveats out the way, here goes my double-think: All future World Test Championship finals should be played in England. There. I said it. Here's why. I was at Lord's last month to watch – both as a fan and a journalist – South Africa's historic triumph over Australia. It was a cracking game. There were 14 wickets on each of the first two days. Tails wagged, partnerships blossomed, bowling attacks looked almost otherworldly. It was a brilliant advert for a sport that, despite the naysayers, has never been more thrilling. Beyond the boundary, Lord's was a heaving, intoxicating mass of Saffas and Aussies. There was banter, booze and biltong. Wherever you looked there were retro replica shirts, straw hats and hugs between strangers. At times it had the carefree feel of a music festival where you'd bump into an acquaintance and embrace them as a long-lost bestie. Of course other countries are capable of producing something similar, but nowhere else in the cricket playing universe is as blessed with expats of all stripes. Loads of supporters travelled from Johannesburg and Sydney, but I'd bet the vast majority already call the UK home. If the next final is contested between Pakistan and West Indies there'd be a similarly healthy stock of fans around the corner from St John's Wood. Speaking to Wisden Cricket Monthly, Ravi Shastri argued that the WTC final should be rotated. This would make sense if every nation could guarantee a healthy crowd to watch what is billed as one of the sport's flagship events. But would Indians fill the Wankhede Stadium if New Zealand and Sri Lanka were playing a one-off final? Would the Kensington Oval brim with fans if South Africa faced Bangladesh? I'm not convinced. But in England, where even second division County Championship games on weekdays pull crowds rivalling some international Tests elsewhere, bums on seats would never be a worry. And if any future final can replicate the vibe that lit up Lord's a fortnight ago, it would go down as an instant classic. I would want more. Because most of the money that's generated comes from India. So it's only fair that they get their share of pound of flesh' – Ravi Shastri, in the aforementioned chat with Wisden, suggested India's share of all ICC revenue, currently at 38.5%, should increase. As England and India meet at Edgbaston after an enthralling first Test series encounter at Headingley the mind goes back to Alastair Cook's remarkable knock of 294 at the ground against their rivals in 2011. What was clear from Cook's rueful look in response at getting out, despite the huge score, was his disappointment. As David Hopps reported at the time: Only Len Hutton has ever batted longer for England in a Test, but Cook still wanted more, admitting to a tinge of disappointment at not joining the elite band of batters who have made a triple Test hundred. 'It's mad, isn't it, how you can still be disappointed when you score 290-odd,' he said. 'Only cricket can do that for you. I'm really thrilled that I put a really big score together but there is a tinge of disappointment.' A lot of the talk around the second Test at Edgbaston was about Jofra Archer's call-up and the split between those who wanted him to start and others who were adamant he should be saved till the Lord's clash. Archer, 30, was the standout name when an otherwise unchanged squad was announced. England's managing director Rob Key played down concerns about Jofra Archer's readiness for Test cricket, insisting England could have fast-tracked his comeback sooner and saying he trusts Ben Stokes not to flog such a precious commodity, as Ali Martin reports here. And here's Ali on what some are calling Bazball 2.0 after the Test victory at Headingley. On the county cricket beat, Tanya Aldred was at York this week as Surrey set their record first-class score, finally putting Durham out of their misery at 820 for nine. And Raf Nicholson at Trent Bridge witnessed England fall to their heaviest ever women's T20 defeat, against India. … by writing to Daniel. To subscribe to The Spin, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
Vancouver Sun
19-06-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Ottawa in 'serious breach' in allowing used choppers to patrol border, industry says
OTTAWA — Canada's helicopter industry is charging the federal government with a 'serious breach' in allowing the RCMP to patrol the Canada-U.S. border with antiquated military helicopters that don't meet the government's own safety regulations, National Post has learned. The second-hand helicopters, purchased on the open market by private Canadian operators who were then hired by the RCMP, were granted highly unusual special exemptions by Transport Canada. But documents show that the industry is accusing the federal government of breaking its own rules by allowing used choppers that don't meet Canadian safety standards and aren't supposed to carry passengers or even fly over developed areas. 'It's not even something that should be considered,' said Trevor Mitchell, chief executive of the Helicopter Association of Canada (HAC), about the government's decision to provide the special exemptions. 'Why do some have to follow the rules and some don't?' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. For at least the last three years, the RCMP has been relying on a small number of private contractors to help patrol the border in search of illegal migrants, drug smugglers and other illicit activities. Those contractors, including two based in Ontario, have been using up to four Black Hawk helicopters that were purchased on the second-hand market after the U.S. military decided to update much of its own fleet. According to the government's Canadian Civil Aircraft Register, the second-hand Sikorsky Black Hawk UH 60As are each at least 40 years old and were imported between 2022 and last year. The special exemptions from Transport Canada, the industry says in a series of letters to senior government officials, allowed them to do non-military jobs in Canadian air space. HAC also says that the twin-engine Black Hawks didn't come with 'type certificates,' which act like recipe books for new owners in that they provide details about the aircraft's parts and how it should be maintained. But in a March 20 letter to Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland, Mitchell said even the conditions attached to the exemptions — such as not being allowed to carry passengers or fly over developed areas — have not been followed. 'We urge you to direct your department to ensure the safety restrictions attached to these aircraft are strictly enforced for the balance of the RCMP's contract and that the Force be urged to select a certified aircraft before the contract expires.' The contracts, worth an estimated $16 million so far, expire June 30, documents show. The Canadian helicopter industry, which relies heavily on conforming to streams of rules and regulations as its safety pillars, is angry and confused over Transport's decision, Mitchell said. 'It's the hottest topic in the industry.' HAC has been trying to find out why these helicopters got the green light but the association said that it hasn't been given a full explanation from Transport Canada, which granted the exemptions, or the RCMP, who hired the contractors, even though the federal police force has its own helicopters. None of the government players involved in the Black Hawk contracts agreed to an interview to address the industry's concerns, despite repeated requests. A RCMP communications officer wouldn't say over a period of almost a week when the federal police would be available to comment. Two Transport Canada executives involved in the granting of the special exemptions referred National Post to communications staff. A communications official then said that the transport department is 'unable to accommodate your request and facilitate a direct conversation.' But in an email, the official confirmed that four Black Hawks have been registered in Canada, placed on the Civil Aircraft Register and issued 'special certificates of airworthiness.' The aircraft, the email said, are being operated by legally-approved air operators. Freeland also could not be reached for comment. Denis Pilon, chief operating officer of Helicopter Transport Services, a Carp, Ont. company that bought two of the four Black Hawks and then leased the helicopters and crew to the RCMP, did not respond to voice mail messages. The government's civil aircraft registry says a third chopper was imported by Expedition Helicopters Inc. of Cochrane, Ont. The industry association says the fourth was contracted by the Alberta government. I view the whole idea of patrolling borders with helicopters skeptically Despite its reluctance to discuss the matter, the federal government is well aware of the situation involving the Black Hawks and the industry's concerns. In the spring of 2024, following interactions with HAC, former Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez directed his officials to pause the issuing of special exemptions for the Black Hawks. But in September of that year, Rodriguez resigned from the federal cabinet to run for leader of the Quebec Liberal party. He was replaced at transport for about seven months by Anita Anand, now the foreign affairs minister. She was then replaced in the new year by Chrystia Freeland, after Mark Carney became prime minister. Neither Anand nor Freeland has clarified the government's view of the situation or publicly commented on the special exemptions for the Black Hawks. Although the Black Hawk contracts pre-date the re-election earlier this year of U.S. President Donald Trump, Canada's enhanced border patrol is in sync with the White House's escalation of concern about illegal migrants and illegal drugs entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and elsewhere. But it's not like there aren't other — even domestic — options beyond Black Hawks. Mitchell says Canada has about 200 companies that offer helicopter services and pilots to fly them. Their collective fleets comprise about 1,700 choppers, many of which might be better suited than Black Hawks for patrol duties because they're smaller and equipped with infra-red cameras that allow them to work in the dark. Governments in Canada, mostly large municipalities, also own about a dozen helicopters. The military and the RCMP also have their own fleets. If the RCMP's own helicopters weren't enough, Mitchell said, it would have no problem finding private contractors to help them patrol. John Arquilla, a long-time defence analyst based in Monterey, Calif., said Black Hawks are mostly used to transport soldiers and other personnel but are considered 'utility' aircraft because of their flexibility. But Black Hawks aren't ideal for patrolling borders, he said, because they're expensive to operate, have limited range and can easily be heard as they approach. Arquilla said the broader problem with using Black Hawks to patrol a massive area such as the Canada-U.S. border is that they would have little effect, particularly compared to a cheaper, more effective technology such as drones. 'I view the whole idea of patrolling borders with helicopters skeptically.' Despite being unwilling to agree to an interview, the RCMP seems to acknowledge that critics of the Black Hawk contracts have valid points. In a Feb. 27 letter to HAC, Commissioner Mike Duheme wrote: 'I acknowledge your concerns with respect to the Blackhawk helicopters and would like to inform you that the RCMP is working with Transport Canada to review the current restrictions from a law enforcement context.' In that same letter, Duheme confirmed that the 'Black Hawks in question became operational in mid-January and are conducting surveillance patrols along the border.' He also explains that the Black Hawks are being used to complement the RCMP's existing fleet of nine helicopters, six of which provide border surveillance and support with cameras capable of thermal imaging, while one is capable of any necessary hoisting. While the RCMP wouldn't agree in recent days to an interview, the force was keen just a few months ago to publicize its new access to the Black Hawks and the enhanced capabilities that were to come with them. In an interview conducted with a television network next to one of the Black Hawks, an RCMP official confirmed that the helicopters were leased with a crew and that the choppers were designed to boost capacity. 'It's really about the ability to move people quickly,' Mathieu Bertrand, the RCMP's Director General of Federal Policing and Border Integrity, told the reporter. 'Things happen quickly on the border.' The issue of certifying the privately-owned Black Hawks has also been a topic of interest at Transport Canada for many months. According to a June, 2024 internal departmental bulletin obtained by National Post, transport was to stop considering applications for 'special certificates of airworthiness' that month. The document warns of increased interest among Canadian operators in using aircraft with the special certificates and that 'this may represent a significant change in the risk environment.' Transport Canada is responsible for the country's transportation policies and programs. The department, known for its emphasis on safety of Canada's road, rail, marine and aviation networks, says it promotes safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation. While the Black Hawk was designed for war more than border patrol, the one advantage it may have over other choppers in this regard, is that it's large, well-known and American. Those could be important attributes, HAC's Mitchell says, if Canada's primary goal in the mission is to ensure that the United States saw its neighbour trying to step up its border patrolling efforts in a very visible way. In a June 1 letter to the RCMP, Mitchell writes that the Black Hawks 'offer no technological advantage to the mission profile, only an appearance.' Helicopters are valued for their versatility and mobility. In Canada, they're mostly used in search and rescue, fighting forest fires, helping combat floods, and commercial applications in remote areas such as mining and electrical lines. But five-seat helicopters are typically used for patrol because they're more nimble and cheaper to operate than a larger, 14-seater such as Sikorsky's Black Hawk. According to a February 10 letter by HAC to RCMP Commissioner Duheme, the choppers have not been approved by Canadian or American authorities for civilian purposes. The RCMP's Black Hawk contracts overlap with Carney's vow to increase Canada's military spending so that it reaches the NATO target of 2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). Carney has also vowed to do more to support Canadian business and to rely less on the U.S. Industry sources say the older Black Hawks were selling in recent months for about $1 million each, as the market became flooded with supply. The market for used helicopters has grown in recent years as the U.S. military has modernized its fleet, including the purchase of a newer model of Black Hawks, called the UH-60M. That has punted a number of older, but still functional Black Hawks to the second-hand market. Prices of new and used aircraft vary widely, depending on a range of factors. But a new five-seat helicopter, including those made in Canada, sells for about $6.5 million, while a new 14-seater, similar in size to the Black Hawks, goes for about $12 million. But the helicopter association says the special exemptions from the usual rules are not fair to Canadian helicopter makers, nor to those Canadian companies that offer helicopter services using certified choppers. Bell Textron, a subsidiary of Fort Worth, Tex.-based Textron, makes commercial helicopters at its Mirabel, Que. facilities. Its lineup of models includes the Bell 412, which could be used for border patrol. Airbus Helicopters Canada, formerly MBB Helicopter Canada, has a 300-employee site at Fort Erie, Ont. That location focuses largely on sales, repair, engineering and composite manufacturing. The Black Hawk, made by Sikorsky Aircraft, is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift chopper in the 'military utility' product niche. Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky was founded by the Russian-American aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky in 1923 and was among the first companies to manufacture helicopters for civilian and military use. The Black Hawk was first conceived in 1972 when its design was submitted for a U.S. Army competition. Carney, meanwhile, issued a statement earlier this month saying that Canada plans to boost its defence spending by $9.3 billion to $54.3 billion. The money will be used on a range of items, including submarines, ships, armoured vehicles and aircraft, as well as new drones and sensors for monitoring the Arctic and seafloor. In the government's latest signal that it intends to create some distance from the U.S. since Trump imposed a wide range of debilitating tariffs on Canadian exports, Carney said Canada wants to reduce how much of its defence budget goes to purchases of American equipment. The prime minister has said that about 75 per cent of Canada's capital spending on defence heads to the U.S. In March, Carney ordered a review of the plan to order 88 fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to determine whether those aircraft represent the best investment. While Canada is legally obliged to purchase the first 16 of those jets, Auditor General Karen Hogan said this week in a report that it's unlikely that the order will be delivered on time or on budget. National Post Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Calgary Herald
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Ottawa in 'serious breach' in allowing used choppers to patrol border, industry says
Article content But it's not like there aren't other — even domestic — options beyond Black Hawks. Article content Mitchell says Canada has about 200 companies that offer helicopter services and pilots to fly them. Their collective fleets comprise about 1,700 choppers, many of which might be better suited than Black Hawks for patrol duties because they're smaller and equipped with infra-red cameras that allow them to work in the dark. Article content Governments in Canada, mostly large municipalities, also own about a dozen helicopters. The military and the RCMP also have their own fleets. Article content If the RCMP's own helicopters weren't enough, Mitchell said, it would have no problem finding private contractors to help them patrol. Article content John Arquilla, a long-time defence analyst based in Monterey, Calif., said Black Hawks are mostly used to transport soldiers and other personnel but are considered 'utility' aircraft because of their flexibility. But Black Hawks aren't ideal for patrolling borders, he said, because they're expensive to operate, have limited range and can easily be heard as they approach. Article content Article content Arquilla said the broader problem with using Black Hawks to patrol a massive area such as the Canada-U.S. border is that they would have little effect, particularly compared to a cheaper, more effective technology such as drones. Article content 'I view the whole idea of patrolling borders with helicopters skeptically.' Article content Despite being unwilling to agree to an interview, the RCMP seems to acknowledge that critics of the Black Hawk contracts have valid points. In a Feb. 27 letter to HAC, Commissioner Mike Duheme wrote: 'I acknowledge your concerns with respect to the Blackhawk helicopters and would like to inform you that the RCMP is working with Transport Canada to review the current restrictions from a law enforcement context.' Article content Article content In that same letter, Duheme confirmed that the 'Black Hawks in question became operational in mid-January and are conducting surveillance patrols along the border.' He also explains that the Black Hawks are being used to complement the RCMP's existing fleet of nine helicopters, six of which provide border surveillance and support with cameras capable of thermal imaging, while one is capable of any necessary hoisting. Article content Article content While the RCMP wouldn't agree in recent days to an interview, the force was keen just a few months ago to publicize its new access to the Black Hawks and the enhanced capabilities that were to come with them. Article content In an interview conducted with a television network next to one of the Black Hawks, an RCMP official confirmed that the helicopters were leased with a crew and that the choppers were designed to boost capacity. 'It's really about the ability to move people quickly,' Mathieu Bertrand, the RCMP's Director General of Federal Policing and Border Integrity, told the reporter. 'Things happen quickly on the border.' Article content The issue of certifying the privately-owned Black Hawks has also been a topic of interest at Transport Canada for many months. Article content According to a June, 2024 internal departmental bulletin obtained by National Post, transport was to stop considering applications for 'special certificates of airworthiness' that month. The document warns of increased interest among Canadian operators in using aircraft with the special certificates and that 'this may represent a significant change in the risk environment.' Article content Transport Canada is responsible for the country's transportation policies and programs. The department, known for its emphasis on safety of Canada's road, rail, marine and aviation networks, says it promotes safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation. Article content While the Black Hawk was designed for war more than border patrol, the one advantage it may have over other choppers in this regard, is that it's large, well-known and American. Those could be important attributes, HAC's Mitchell says, if Canada's primary goal in the mission is to ensure that the United States saw its neighbour trying to step up its border patrolling efforts in a very visible way. Article content In a June 1 letter to the RCMP, Mitchell writes that the Black Hawks 'offer no technological advantage to the mission profile, only an appearance.' Article content Helicopters are valued for their versatility and mobility. In Canada, they're mostly used in search and rescue, fighting forest fires, helping combat floods, and commercial applications in remote areas such as mining and electrical lines. Article content Article content But five-seat helicopters are typically used for patrol because they're more nimble and cheaper to operate than a larger, 14-seater such as Sikorsky's Black Hawk. Article content According to a February 10 letter by HAC to RCMP Commissioner Duheme, the choppers have not been approved by Canadian or American authorities for civilian purposes. Article content The RCMP's Black Hawk contracts overlap with Carney's vow to increase Canada's military spending so that it reaches the NATO target of 2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). Carney has also vowed to do more to support Canadian business and to rely less on the U.S. Article content Industry sources say the older Black Hawks were selling in recent months for about $1 million each, as the market became flooded with supply. The market for used helicopters has grown in recent years as the U.S. military has modernized its fleet, including the purchase of a newer model of Black Hawks, called the UH-60M. Article content Article content Article content Prices of new and used aircraft vary widely, depending on a range of factors. But a new five-seat helicopter, including those made in Canada, sells for about $6.5 million, while a new 14-seater, similar in size to the Black Hawks, goes for about $12 million. Article content But the helicopter association says the special exemptions from the usual rules are not fair to Canadian helicopter makers, nor to those Canadian companies that offer helicopter services using certified choppers. Article content Bell Textron, a subsidiary of Fort Worth, Tex.-based Textron, makes commercial helicopters at its Mirabel, Que. facilities. Its lineup of models includes the Bell 412, which could be used for border patrol. Article content Airbus Helicopters Canada, formerly MBB Helicopter Canada, has a 300-employee site at Fort Erie, Ont. That location focuses largely on sales, repair, engineering and composite manufacturing.
