Canada Freezes F-35 Funds And Is Now Open To Potential Competitors

The Auditor-General's report says Canada initially joined the F-35 program in 1997 not with the intention of purchasing the stealth fighter, but to ensure Canadian industry could win contracts associated with developing and producing the fighter. LOCKHEED/REUTERS/Michael Spooneybarger

Tories Freeze F-35 Funds And Open Door To Alternatives In Wake Of Scathing AG Report -- National Post/Post Media News

* Tories promise public review of F-35 program
* Funding frozen, further due diligence ordered
* Minister opens door to potential competitors
* Parliament misled over cost overruns, delays

OTTAWA — The Tories have promised a complete and public review of the stealth fighter program and opened the door to potential competitors after a scathing report found defence officials twisted government rules, misled ministers and Parliament, and whitewashed cost overruns and delays in a determined effort to ensure Canada purchased the F-35 jet.

Auditor-General Michael Ferguson’s scathing assessment, released today, puts the military’s own cost estimates for Canada’s involvement at $25 billion — instead of the publicly stated $16 billion — and questions assertions that Canadian industry stands to benefit from $12 billion in contracts.

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More News On Canada's Auditor General's Report On The F-35

F-35 program slammed by auditor general -- CBC
Auditor general: F-35 funding frozen: Conservatives promise public review -- Canada.com
‘Overly confident’ DND failed to properly assess F-35 costs: auditor -- Globe and Mail
Auditor General slams Canada’s planned F-35 purchase -- Toronto Star/Canadian Press
Defence officials misled ministers in F-35 fighter jet whitewash: Auditor General -- National Post/Postmedia News
Canada auditor general blasts F35 program -- AFP
Canada's move to buy F-35 jets flawed: watchdog -- Reuters
‘Overly confident’ DND failed to properly assess F-35 costs: auditor -- Globe and Mail
Canada Defense Department Mismanaged F-35 Purchase, Audit Finds -- Bloomberg
So much heat, so little light on F-35 fighter purchase -- Matthew Fisher, Montreal Gazette
Tories boost oversight – but heads won't roll – on F-35 purchase -- Globe and Mail
Tories flying blind on F-35 purchase: AG -- Toronto Sun
Military kept Parliament in dark over F-35 costs: auditor -- CTV
Should Canada drop the plan to buy F-35 jets and start over? -- CBC
Government plans to re-evaluate F-35 program when harsh AG report drops -- John Ivison, National Post