Delete comment from: Elements Of Power
The significance of this is that the Conservatives aren't known for backing down or admitting error. This statement is basically meant to give them maneuvering room in the event that F-35 costs escalate and delays mount to the point that Canada has to look at other options for replacing the CF-18 fleet. The Conservatives are shortly going to be engaged in a series of pitched battles with public sector unions as they cut back spending - they don't want to be exposed to additional criticisms about billions of overruns on a fighter program when they're taking an axe to left wing sacred cows. (In Canada, it's generally been the rule that the centrist Liberals can cut anything with scarcely a whimper from the left. If the Conservatives even fail to increase spending, they're accused of feeding children to the wolves, etc.) You're right, though - this statement isn't the result of any material change in the F-35 program.
Mar 16, 2012, 12:42:02 PM