Ottawa

Unpacking Peter MacKay

Colin Horgan reviews how the public costing of the F-35 failed to meet the government’s own guidelines. Andrew Coyne explains how the Defence Minister’s explanations don’t match the Department of National Defence’s previous promises. And Laura Payton goes to the videotape.

At 9:50, MacKay refers to “signing the contract now” to bid on $12 billion in future contracts. As the government has recently made clear, and contrary to what Prime Minister Stephen Harper had said before, there is no contract.

Around 10:00, Evan asks what the in-service costs will be. MacKay says it’s difficult to nail down those costs, when we now know DND had internal estimates.

The editors of this magazine question the entire proposed purchase. Marc Garneau regrets making it personal. And the Liberals have launched a petition.

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