Sorry to cut you off, Mr. Page.
Originally, under the terms of the contract, each ship was supposed to cost $400 million. When the government decided to purchase a sixth ship, the price tag was higher for various reasons. That put the bill at $2.8 billion. Now we are finding out that the cost of that same contract has hit $4.3 billion, while construction of the ships is under way, progressing well. Once again, it is taxpayers who are on the hook.
Aren't the additional costs being charged by the shipyard excessive? After all, construction of the ships is under way. I can understand that getting started on a project may bring some complications, but how is it possible to justify charging double to build the same ship? Each one is going to cost $750 million.
As a government institution, how can you allow shipyards to charge us this much for these ships?
Can they justify it?