The pattern is that whenever we look at major procurement issues, for example, combat ships, supply ships, and now polar icebreakers, there is one constant: the costs are always higher when an independent office estimates them rather than the government. Even when it is the government that revises these estimates, they often go up.
I don't think the intentions are bad, but rather that we are dealing with a lack of expertise. Yet it is not expertise that is unique in the world. I like Mr. Penney and Mr. Elmarzougui and I find them very competent. However, I think that this expertise could be developed in government departments so that the government can come up with estimates that are credible and acceptable to all players.
There is certainly room for improvement in departmental estimation processes, in order to give parliamentarians accurate estimates wherever possible. Having said that, I understand that it is difficult to estimate the total cost of a project that is seven, eight or nine years away.