The Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. air force appeared together in the skies over Ottawa to mark the Fourth of July, with the U.S. ambassador noting Canada will be “proud owners” of American F-35 fighter jets this fall.
“You are one of the countries that signed up originally at the beginning of this program to be an international partner on this international plane,” Pete Hoekstra said Saturday during a party at his official residence in Ottawa.
Moments later, two American F-35s Lightning II jets and two Canadian CF-18 Hornets — the fighters the F-35s are intended to replace — blasted over the gathering at low altitude.
Americans were celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday. MPs who were present at the ambassador’s party included Liberal Rob Oliphant, who is parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, and Ontario Tory MP Jamil Jivani.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has been reviewing whether to proceed with a full order of 88 F-35 fighter jets for more than a year now. The review began not long after U.S. President Donald Trump launched his trade war with Canada.
Canada has already put money down for 16 F-35s.
The Defence Department said Saturday’s fly-past was meant to demonstrate the way the two countries routinely work together in the air as part of Norad, the binational continental defence command.
Hoekstra, who called the jets “the most advanced aircraft in the world” on Saturday, also praised Norad for keeping Canada and the U.S. “safe and secure for 60 to 70 years.”
The ambassador noted during his remarks that Ottawa raised the U.S. flag, the Stars and Stripes, in front of its city hall for 24 hours.
He also acknowledged “a few little issues” that linger between the two countries, including the trade war as well as “this bridge thing.”
In June, the Trump administration intervened in the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Ontario to Michigan — a bridge Canada paid to build.
“We’re going to get over this. We’re going to get through it,” Hoekstra said. “We all, I think, hopefully realize we can accomplish great things together.”
After the jets flew over, Hoekstra also referenced provincial liquor agencies, such as Ontario’s, that have banned American alcohol from their shelves.
“Next year, hopefully we can all take a toast of American bourbon legally in the province of Ontario, and toast the friendship and the relationship between the United States and Canada,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2026.
By Canadian Press Staff | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.