Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), the date of the announcement was determined by a number of factors, including the availability of senior officials, the venue, and Lockheed Martin’s full-scale F-35 model.
The Government of Canada reception center at Uplands Hangar was selected on the basis of financial, logistical and security considerations, as well as its capacity to host a full-scale F-35 model and a CF-18.
With regard to (b), senior officials from several departments, including the Department of National Defence, Industry Canada, and Public Works and Government Services Canada, participated in the selection of the date, location and timing of the July 16, 2010 announcement.
With regard to (c), the guests were selected by the Office of the Minister of National Defence on the recommendation of departmental officials. The majority of the guests were invited by the department, while the remainder were invited by the Office of the Minister of National Defence.
With regard to (d), guests invited by the department received an invitation by telephone and/or email on Wednesday July 14, 2010.