Just to complete these thoughts, Chair, a procurement program that may cost $30 billion over 30 years will inevitably result in opportunity costs, both to equipping the Canadian Forces and to other federal programs that contribute to Canada's and international security. What other investments in the Canadian Forces will be passed over to secure the stealth technology on fighter jets that will seldom, if ever, be used for their primary purpose?
As important, Canadian security preparedness in our view involves more than its military capacity. It includes adequate funding for development, democracy promotion, disarmament, and diplomacy. Currently Canadian government security spending is weighted heavily toward defence, and the JSF program would make this more pronounced. Currently projected expenditures on diplomacy and on development are frozen or being reduced.
During the period before Canada must commit to a JSF order, there should be a thorough and continuing public exploration, as through this parliamentary committee, of the security threats to be met, the costs and benefits, and the consequences of the acquisition of a new generation of fighter aircraft.
Thank you, Chair.