Mr. Speaker, it is astonishing that the Department of National Defence justified its decision for the F-35 based on this 160-word letter. The letter was produced as justification on the day that it was requested. It mentions the term “fifth generation fighter” four times in one paragraph to try to convince Public Works that the F-35 is the only plane for Canada. However, the Auditor General notes that the term “fifth generation” is not even a description of operational requirements. We know it is really just a marketing term.
Why did the Department of National Defence do a sales pitch to Public Works instead of providing a complete and documented justification for its decision?