Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, would the minister confirm that the interoperability package preferred by the U.S. navy and our allies was suggested to our navy but withdrawn under pressure from Irving Shipbuilding, because it argued that it would create more delays in the program?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, the government has announced that Irving will build a sixth AOPS at $800 million, double the cost of the first five, when the cost should be dropping as production gets more efficient. As per the RAND Corp. statement, there should be about a 20% drop. Why is the price tag for the sixth ship going from $400 million to $800 million?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, the government is looking at purchasing two additional AOPS on top of the sixth one announced because of a production gap at Irving. Would the minister advise whether there is still a production gap at Irving, despite the addition of a sixth AOPS?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, what are the costs of the seventh and eighth proposed AOPS that the government is considering?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, according to the numbers used by the PBO and RAND Corp., the sixth AOPS should drop in cost to $320 million. Why is the government paying $800 million for the sixth one?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, how many supply ships does the Royal Canadian Navy require?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, when will the first combat ship be delivered?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I will repeat the question. What is the added cost to taxpayers for this change in priority to build the supply ship first?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, in committee, the procurement people said that to get that answer, we would have to go to defence. Now we see its answer. When will the first joint supply ship be finished?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, the minister stated previously that changing the order would move up the ship two years. When will this first ship be ready? Obviously, if he knows that it is moved up by two years, he must know the date the ship will be ready. When will it be ready?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, how can we maintain a two-coast navy if one is in retrofit and we only have two ships?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, interestingly, procurement said that it would be 2023-2024. When will the second JSS be ready?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, how in the world does the defence minister not know when this vital second ship will be ready for our armed Forces?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, will the Asterix be kept in service after the first ship and the second ship delivery?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I will repeat my question. When will the first combat ship be ready?