Lets see some of the spin defence minister MacKay puts on all of this in an opinion piece for today’s paper. My comments in brackets.
I would like to set the record straight on the federal government’s decision to purchase the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. (“Setting the record straight” means…well lets see…)
Canada has been a partner in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program since 1997, when the Department of National Defence signed on to the Concept Demonstration phase with an investment of $10 million U.S. As part of this phase, Canada participated in the extensive and rigorous U.S.-led competitive process where two bidders, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, developed and completed prototype aircraft. This process led to the selection of Lockheed Martin as the JSF manufacturer in 2001. To purchase this aircraft, our Conservative government exercised its options under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program memorandum of understanding with the nine partner nations to acquire the F-35. (This is nothing more than misleading. There was no competition for a purchase decision and signing on as a Joint Strike Fighter partner does not commit one to purchase)
This is the only fighter aircraft capability that meets the operational requirements of the Canadian Forces and enables our men and women of the air force to do the jobs that we, as Canadians, ask of them. (The “requirement goes as far as what is stated in LM PowerPoint slides) The F-35 ensures that the Canada Forces will continue to work seamlessly alongside our allies and provides Canadian pilots with the highest probability of mission success, and the highest probability that these men and women return home safely to their families. (Yeah bring out the kids. Weak. The Super Hornet, Rafale and Eurofighter also work along side Allies)
With this procurement, Canadian industry has a golden opportunity to participate in the largest defence program ever undertaken, a program estimated to be worth more than $383 billion.(Feeding at the all you can eat of spin buffet table. Rent seeking and again hope put on via the Ponzi Scheme in the PowerPoint slides.) This purchase will allow Canadian industry to contribute to the F-35 global supply chain of approximately 3,000 aircraft, advancing its technology, while bringing jobs and sustained economic benefits to regions across Canada.(The 3000 aircraft thing again. This could be believable if one had something to look at other than a woefully under-tested aircraft of dubious capability. Or….. again… dubious capability.)
Our government is making the decision at the right time for the Canadian Forces, Canadian industry and Canadian taxpayers. We are getting the best aircraft for the best value. (At the right time? Under-tested; a country in debt. Other defence needs that are obvious.)
Peter MacKay,
File Mr. MacKays response in the deception folder.
