The RCMP awarded nearly $84 million in Black Hawk helicopter contracts to patrol Canada’s border, but newly released federal records show the aircraft supported operations resulting in only 73 arrests by the national police force.
According to a September 21 response to an order paper question submitted by Conservative MP Rob Morrison, the RCMP awarded 11 contracts worth $83.7 million, including taxes, between January 2025 and May 2026.
The contracts went to Helicopter Transport Services Inc. and Expedition Helicopters Inc., covering up to three aircraft per contract period.
“The Royal Canadian Mounted Police call-up value is considered all-inclusive and includes flight hours, fuel charges, airport landing fees, crew travel and accommodation related to crew rotations, and maintenance support,” the response states.
Awarded in successive rounds over 16 months, the agreements ranged from approximately $3.9 million to $15 million each. The $83.7-million total represents contract values, not necessarily money spent.
The RCMP also reported $2.28 million in additional expenses through March 31, 2026, including $1.53 million in personnel costs, nearly $600,000 in travel and approximately $150,000 for equipment and supplies.
The government cautioned that those figures “exclude internal services, employee benefits plan, Shared Services Canada, and Public Services and Procurement Canada costs,” leaving the full taxpayer bill unclear.
According to the response, Black Hawks provided aerial support during 58 border-related events since patrols began on January 18, 2025.
Those operations contributed to the identification of 171 people known or suspected to have crossed the Canada-U.S. border illegally between official ports of entry.
“Border events involving the Blackhawks resulted in the arrest of 73 individuals by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,” the response confirmed.
Six others were apprehended by U.S. or Canadian authorities, 78 were gone when officers arrived, and 14 encounters were non-criminal.
Although Morrison specifically requested a breakdown of alleged crimes, the RCMP provided only arrest and encounter totals, without identifying the offences involved.
The disclosures follow an earlier investigation into an RCMP-contracted Black Hawk grounded over aviation regulatory concerns.
Following the June 10 grounding, the RCMP cited commercial confidentiality to withhold contract costs, while insisting the contractor was responsible for ensuring the helicopter could legally fly in Canada.
Documents previously obtained by the Toronto Star showed the RCMP required bidders to provide Canadian registration and a Transport Canada Certificate of Airworthiness.
Subsequent Toronto Star reporting revealed the $7.5-million contract was terminated by mutual consent, costing the RCMP $394,000 for 10 days of flying, with no payment for grounded time.
Public Services and Procurement Canada said the termination resulted in no finding of wrongdoing, while two other Black Hawk contracts held by Helicopter Transport Services were unaffected.
The response lists a $7.51-million contract that mirrors the cancelled deal, but its impact on the $83.7-million total remains unclear.
Transport Canada also addressed whether the helicopters were authorized to operate under Canadian aviation regulations.
“Transport Canada has issued four Special Certificates of Airworthiness – Limited for ex-military UH-60 Blackhawks operated by three Canadian commercial air operators,” the department stated.
“The aircraft to which these certificates have been issued are authorized to operate in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, including operational and maintenance requirements.”
Transport Canada said the certificates were issued under exemptions dating to April and December 2022.
“These aircraft may be used for specialized aerial work under Subpart 702 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, where all applicable regulatory requirements are met,” the department added.
The response doesn’t say whether the grounded helicopter was certified. While the RCMP touts improved border surveillance and response, it provides no flight-hour totals, cost comparisons or evidence of reduced illegal crossings.
Juno News sought comments from the RCMP, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Transport Canada, and Helicopter Transport Services regarding the program’s costs, operational results, procurement decisions and aircraft certification. None of the four responded by the publication deadline.