et deal could see Grits crash and burn
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Posted 2 days ago
The purchase of new Canadian fighter jets is no place for partisan politics. Yet the Liberals seem to think that buying new jets is like a road construction project, where there's a tendering process and the least expensive bidder is chosen. The Conservative government is striking a sole-source deal with Lockheed Martin for 65 F-35 Lightning II jets worth $16 billion.
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The Canadian Military's current fleet of CF-18 fighter jets -- just refurbished for $2.6 billion - are expected to last until 2017. The 65 F-35s have an estimated $9 billion price tag, with 20 years of maintenance and service expected to add $7 billion to the total cost. But the Liberals don't like the deal.
Their industry critic, MP Marc Garneau, says the contract cannot be allowed because there was no public tender.
His boss, Michael Ignatieff, wants to recall the parliamentary defence committee this summer to debate this matter - especially the deal's secretive manner.
But a spokesman for Defence Minister Peter MacKay has said it was a competitive process, with two bidders.
Jay Paxton also said the Conservatives aren't surprised Ignatieff and company are willing to sacrifice the protection of Canadian Military personnel, and jeopardize Canadian sovereignty. The Grits aren't willing to do this, however, but they are willing to play politics on this issue.
And the Liberals are saying that if they form the next government this contract will be scuttled.
Yes, this is the single largest purchase in Canadian Military history. Yes, this is taxpayers' money.
Unfortunately, there is a precedent for politics interfering with military purchases and wasting the money Ottawa seems to collect from Canadians at every turn.
In 1993, former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien scrapped a $5.8-billion deal for 50 EH-101 Cormorant Helicopters to replace the aging Sea King helicopters, a deal signed by the previous Conservative government.
This cost taxpayers $500 million in termination penalties, and a decade-long delay in replacing the Sea Kings.
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No price tag has ever been put on its impact upon the Canadian Military's effectiveness or the safety of military personnel. There are questions about the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jets, specifically about it having only one engine -unlike the CF-18 -- which could make it vulnerable if there is engine trouble.
But is this type of decision Canadians really want politicians making?
The Liberals are making hay with this issue because it's the summer, Ignatieff is on a cross-country tour trying to convince Canadians he's a competent leader, and a $16-billion boondoggle has an appealing ring to the Grit spin doctors.
The New Democrats don't seem any more pleased than the Liberals with the fighter jet deal, but are taking a more sensible approach.
MP Pat Martin called the feds' sole-source contract "reckless" and "irresponsible," but says the Grit response is little more than playing politics - because this issue cannot trigger a federal election now. Martin also said it's not worth 20 years of lawsuits to back out of the deal.
Maybe the summer heat has just fried Liberal common sense, or perhaps there just isn't any issue in Ottawa which isn't fair game for political shenanigans.
Either way, holding up or scrapping a deal which ensures members of the Canadian Military are best prepared to go into battle likely won't win the Liberals any votes in the next federal election.