Saskatchewan to update aging air tanker fleet beginning in 2025
The Government of Saskatchewan has purchased four re-purposed Dash-8 airliners to replace elements of its air tanker fleet in the next three years.
The two Dash 8-Q400AT and two Dash 8-Q400MRE models were purchased for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) at an estimated cost of $187.06 million.
The four aircraft will replace Saskatchewan’s fleet of four Convair 580s – which will reach the end of their effective lifespans in 2027.
The company conducting the conversions – Conair Firefighting – flew an example aircraft to Regina for the announcement on Tuesday.
“They’re upgraded aircraft. They’re faster and they have a larger payload. They will serve Saskatchewan communities better and keep Saskatchewan families safer,” Premier Scott Moe said at the announcement at the Regina International Airport.
According to the province, the AT models will be dedicated air tankers while the MRE can also be reconfigured for multiple roles. These include air evacuations, patient transport and cargo hauling.
Both models have increased capacity over their predecessors, producing 30 per cent less emissions than similar sized air tankers.
The financial impact of SPSA’s 2024-2025 capital budget is a $5.52 million deposit with the three-year payment plan. A total of $16.29 million in federal funding will offset the cost of the tankers.
The lifespan of the new aircraft is an estimated 25 years. The first of the four units is expected to arrive in late summer of 2025 with the remaining three arriving by the end of 2027.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.