--if you'll let me answer the question, Mr. Harris--when that is in fact what happened. I think Minister Ambrose quite clearly laid out how this process began in 1997. There was a rigorous, inclusive process. It's all on the record. It's all there for anyone who wants to take the time to look at how we arrived at the decision to purchase the F-35. It is very clear that this was an open, transparent process. It is in fact the only fifth-generation aircraft on the market. As Minister Ambrose said quite emphatically, there is no competition for a fifth-generation aircraft, because it is the only one.
Yet, having stated that, this process went on for years. It went back to 1997. I commend the previous government for entering into the process, because in fact it was that early decision to enter into that MOU that allowed us, for the investment of roughly $170 million, to receive over $350 million in benefits already as a result of that early decision.
So we have continued in that MOU, and now exercise an option that was available to us in the MOU, as a result of a competition, as a result of rigorous examination and consultation with both industry and people like the Chief of the Air Staff and his predecessor Angus Watt, all of whom gave advice that this was the right plane for the right price for the Canadian Forces and for the country.
I am very confident that we've made the best decision for Canada.