The federal government’s long-awaited review of the F-35 procurement project is dragging on well past its own deadline and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Defence Minister David McGuinty once promised that Canadians would have clarity by Sept. 21. Prime Minister Mark Carney himself said the review would be wrapped up by the end of summer. Yet here we are, with autumn well underway, and still no final word.
Critics might see this as government dithering. But given the stakes billions of dollars in taxpayer money, questions about national sovereignty, and Canada’s role in global security perhaps we should welcome the extra caution.
The F-35 is no ordinary purchase. Its costs have ballooned to nearly $28 billion, according to the auditor general, a staggering 50 per cent increase from earlier estimates. Add to that delays in building the infrastructure to support these high-tech aircraft, and it’s fair to ask whether the F-35 program is the right fit for Canada’s needs.
Defence experts like Philippe Lagassé suggest that Ottawa should not simply rubber-stamp the F-35 but instead seriously consider whether a mixed fleet or even an alternative like Saab’s Gripen, which promised Canadian production and jobs might better serve our interests. That kind of sober reflection should be applauded.
Prime Minister Carney has hinted that Canada’s military purchases will no longer be judged solely on operational requirements but also on broader economic and industrial benefits. This shift in thinking is overdue. Defence procurement should be about more than checking boxes on a spreadsheet; it should strengthen our sovereignty and support our domestic industries.
Of course, the geopolitical backdrop makes this decision even trickier. Former President Donald Trump has openly questioned U.S. commitments to NATO and threatened trade retaliation against Canada. If Washington cannot be counted on as a reliable ally, does tying ourselves exclusively to American-made fighters make sense?
The U.S. ambassador has warned that buying anything other than the F-35 could “threaten Norad” and drive up costs. That may be true but it’s also in America’s interest to keep Canada locked into its supply chain. Canada has to ask what’s in Canada’s best interest.
This is not just about jets. It’s about how Canada defines its sovereignty, its alliances, and its defence priorities in an increasingly uncertain world. Rushing to meet an arbitrary deadline would have been reckless. Taking the time to get this decision right is the only responsible course.
