To clarify my question on the C-17s, the plan we had, which seemed to be the fairest one for our forces and the taxpayer, was to buy the tactical airlift, for many reasons--you know better than I do--and to lease the C-17s. The C-17s would be on Canadian soil; they'd be in Trenton. By doing so, we would save the taxpayer $400 million and avoid the problem of trying to find strategic airlift in times of emergency. The number of planes we would have would be six, not four. Four is actually below the minimum required to meet the needs of the air force.
On February 15th, 2007. See this statement in context.