Mr. Speaker, we have been told that it costs $6,500 an hour to keep our aging Sea Kings airworthy, whereas the modern helicopter flies at $800 to $1,000 an hour. The auditor general has questioned the wisdom of spending taxpayers' money on helicopters that have an availability rate of less than 50%.
When will the government initiate the maritime helicopter program by releasing a statement of requirement? It is long past due. Please, think of the families and crew.