Thank you, Mr. Ferguson.
In your report you are critical of the life cycle assumption that was put forward by the department—the $25 billion life cycle cost, a 20-year life cycle cost—and you noted in your report that, in fact, the government is planning on flying these planes for at least 36 years.
I notice also in the report that the joint strike fighter program office in the United States provides the department annually with Canadianized costing figures based on a 36-year life cycle cost.
Do you have an explanation for us, from your audit, for why a 20-year life cycle cost was chosen by the department instead of a 36-year life cycle cost?