The United States gave Canada 12 HS-2Ls after the war was over. Two of these aircraft were given to civilian companies while the Air Board and the Royal Canadian Air Force used the remainder. Soon many HS-2Ls became available for purchase as war surplus.

The HS-2L was the first and most widely used bush plane in Canada. It was also utilized for many first time events like forestry patrols, an aerial timber survey in 1919, the first mining claim to be staked in 1920, scheduled air service, and airmail.

Beginning in 1924, the Ontario Air Service operated 19 HS-2Ls until 1932, the last time the aircraft were actively used in Canada.