Last year Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives announced the purchase of new F-35 fighter jets to replace the aging CF-18s. The Tories came under fire for the sole-source $9 billion purchase of the jets. The cost of the war in Afghanistan both in lives and capital has left the Canadian population with defence fatigue. The estimated cost of the war by the end of 2011 is estimated at $30 billion dollars.
The opposition has harshly criticized the purchase calling it reckless and expensive. Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff says the contracts do not keep costs down and there is no guaranteed work for Canadian industry. The NDP and BLOC leaders have slammed the program as being motivated by Conservative philosophy. All opposition parties agree that the purchase needs to be discussed in more detail. In a time of recession, is this the best use of Canadian tax payer dollars considering how many Canadians are unemployed and struggling to pay bills? I would never disagree with a purchase of military equipment that would allow our troops to safely and effectively carry out their mission. I believe however, that the contract needs to be opened to allow more competition to lower the overall cost to the Canadian tax payer.
If the fighter jets are critical to our oversea deployment and National Defence, the government must consider another option. For those of us that follow the Canadian Forces regularly, after this purchase is made what does this leave for the Navy and the Army in terms of budget. The Air Force may require upgraded equipment; however this is not the time to make the purchase. The government can’t possibly believe this purchase would go over well with the Canadian population, considering the affect this money could have on job creation, health care and relief for students drowning in debt. Watch out for those big blue waves…..
The opposition has harshly criticized the purchase calling it reckless and expensive. Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff says the contracts do not keep costs down and there is no guaranteed work for Canadian industry. The NDP and BLOC leaders have slammed the program as being motivated by Conservative philosophy. All opposition parties agree that the purchase needs to be discussed in more detail. In a time of recession, is this the best use of Canadian tax payer dollars considering how many Canadians are unemployed and struggling to pay bills? I would never disagree with a purchase of military equipment that would allow our troops to safely and effectively carry out their mission. I believe however, that the contract needs to be opened to allow more competition to lower the overall cost to the Canadian tax payer.
If the fighter jets are critical to our oversea deployment and National Defence, the government must consider another option. For those of us that follow the Canadian Forces regularly, after this purchase is made what does this leave for the Navy and the Army in terms of budget. The Air Force may require upgraded equipment; however this is not the time to make the purchase. The government can’t possibly believe this purchase would go over well with the Canadian population, considering the affect this money could have on job creation, health care and relief for students drowning in debt. Watch out for those big blue waves…..
I agree that Canada should not be investing big portions of the budget into military projects during a recession. The focus should be protecting and fostering Canada's economy.
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