Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I think we have an all-party consensus at this committee about the need for greater clarity on the government's shipbuilding strategy.
I'd like to take up my colleague's line of questioning about aircraft procurement.
It was said that the government has committed to finding a replacement for the CF-18. I would note that the governing party also very clearly committed during the election campaign not to purchase the F-35. Yet it was recently revealed that the Government of Canada paid $45 million to remain part of the F-35 consortium and keep open the option of purchasing that aircraft.
I wonder if, from a public service perspective, you could confirm whether or not the F-35 is actively being considered in this procurement competition.