Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Yes, Mr. Harris, there is a statement of requirements. As I indicated before, the procurement process does not drive the requirements, the requirements drive the procurement process.
The Canada First defence strategy, two years ago, very publicly committed us to purchasing the next-generation fighter. Since then, the defence department and Public Works have been doing research to confirm that there is only one next-generation fighter available for purchase by Canada.
To change the statement of requirements to hold a competition for the sake of holding a competition, when we know there is only one plane available that meets these requirements, would be, frankly, dishonest. It would be a waste of resources and time, and it would particularly be a waste of resources and time to companies that would be looking to compete.