In 1992, it was announced that the Labradors were to be replaced by 15 new helicopters, a variant of the AgustaWestland EH101, designated CH-149 Chimo. The order was subsequently cancelled by the Jean Chrétien Liberal government in 1993, resulting in cancellation penalties, as well as extending the service life of the Labrador fleet. However, in 1998, a CH-113 from CFB Greenwood crashed on Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula while returning from a SAR mission, resulting in the deaths of all crewmembers on board. The crash placed pressure upon the government to procure a replacement, thus an order was placed with the manufacturers of the EH101 for 15 aircraft to perform the search-and-rescue mission, designated CH-149 Cormorant. CH-149 deliveries began in 2003, allowing the last CH-113 to be retired in 2004. In October 2005 Columbia Helicopters of Aurora, Oregon purchased eight of the retired CH-113 Labradors to add to their fleet of 15 Vertol 107-II helicopters.
In 1992 it was announced that the Labradors were to be replaced by 15 new helicopters a variant of the AgustaWestland EH101 designated CH-149 Chimo The order was subsequently cancelled by the Jean Chrétien Liberal government in 1993 resulting in cancellation penalties as well as extending the service life of the Labrador fleet However in 1998 a CH-113 from CFB Greenwood crashed on Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula while returning from a SAR mission resulting in the deaths of all crewmembers on board The crash placed pressure upon the government to procure a replacement thus an order was placed with the manufacturers of the EH101 for 15 aircraft to perform the search-and-rescue mission designated CH-149 Cormorant CH-149 deliveries began in 2003 allowing the last CH-113 to be retired in 2004 In October 2005 Columbia Helicopters of Aurora Oregon purchased eight of the retired CH-113 Labradors to add to their fleet of 15 Vertol 107-II helicopters