Reportedly, in excess of 1,700 hours of wind tunnel and water tank testing was used to help define the aircraft's basic configuration. The 1962 preliminary design, designated as the CL-204, was a purpose-designed water bomber that evolved into an amphibian flying boat configuration, powered by two shoulder-mounted 2,100 hp (1,566 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 piston engines. Arising from an earlier 1960s research study at the company, the original concept was for a twin-engined floatplane transport, that was altered into a 'firefighter' as a result of a request by forestry officials in the Quebec Service Aérien ( Quebec Government Air Service) for a more effective way of delivering water to forest fires. The CL-43 was conceived as a logistics aircraft and was based on the design of the Canadian Vickers-built 369 Canso (which was itself a variant of the Consolidated PBY Catalina). The origins of the CL-215 can be traced back to two earlier project studies conducted by Canadian aircraft manufacturer Canadair, the CL-43 and CL-204. Other changes include the addition of new avionics and various structural improvements. Furthermore, numerous conversion and improvement programmes have been developed for existing aircraft, such as the CL-215T, a turbine-powered model of the original aircraft which replaces the original Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM radial engines with a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turbine engines. While production of the CL-215 was terminated during 1990, this was due to the imminent introduction of an improved variant of the aircraft, which was designated as the CL-415, the manufacture of which commenced during 1993. On 23 October 1967, the first prototype performed its maiden flight, and the first production aircraft was handed over during June 1969.

It can also be used for other missions types, including passenger services, freight transport, and air-sea search and rescue operations. From an early stage, it was developed to perform aerial firefighting operations as a water bomber to operate well in such a capacity, it can be flown at relatively low speeds and in high gust-loading environments, as are typically found over forest fires.

The CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft, that was designed during the 1960s. It is one of only a handful of large amphibious aircraft to have been produced in large numbers during the post-war era, and the first to be developed from the onset as a water bomber. The Canadair CL-215 ( Scooper) is the first model in a series of flying boat amphibious aircraft designed and built by Canadian aircraft manufacturer Canadair, and later produced by Bombardier.

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