National Defence committee  That was me. We represent the members who did that. Those planes were supposed to be useful for missions and things like that, and they were to have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. We're up to 30 years, over 30 years, so they've just about doubled the lifespan of that plane. Yes,

National Defence committee  They're going to be in service until 2018.

National Defence committee  Maybe to relate to that, I had a Mazda GLC in 1982. I could have changed all the wiring inside and dragged it on for 25 to 30 years, but eventually I had to change it. We now have navigation systems in cars; now every car comes with air conditioning. I would have had to put it in

National Defence committee  I support the replacement of the aircraft, yes, I do.

National Defence committee  I only want to emphasize that we're the ones who should do the maintenance on the new aircraft and that we should have as many contracts on it in Canada as possible.

National Defence committee  Clearly. It's not only a question of how many airplanes or anything like that, but if we don't do the maintenance on those, we lose the expertise. For future aircraft that we buy, we won't have the expertise to do it, and we won't even be able to compete for the work.

National Defence committee  No, I'm not. I'm not aware. As I've stated earlier, I have not read the memorandum agreement. I've not had a copy of it. I've only read what was within the minutes of the last meetings that were held here.

National Defence committee  Let me say something on that. As an example, I sat with L-3 MAS, and they clearly stated to me that in contracts they give in the area around.... They have 1,000 employees inside L-3 MAS for the maintenance, the repair, and overhaul of the F-18s. But they say they give $50 mill

National Defence committee  Machining may not be high tech, but if these companies get a contract to make a specific part, what is there to guarantee that they will make all the parts for all the Lockheed Martin aircraft? They could get the contract just to make the 65 parts for the 65 Canadian aircraft. W

National Defence committee  Can I answer the question?

National Defence committee  The short duration of the contract and transferring it are not the only dangers. I haven't read the contract in full. Without specifying a detailed number of parts, these people can grant the contract then, as mentioned earlier, the employer can have the parts manufactured outsid

National Defence committee  It's a very big fear. I still don't have all the details; I'm waiting for them. As I understand it, in terms of the Héroux-Devtek proposals, some of the work will not be done here, but in their factories in the United States.

National Defence committee  So, there is no guarantee that 100% of the work related to contracts with Héroux-Devtek will be done in Canada, in the Montreal area or elsewhere.

National Defence committee  If Héroux-Devtek gets a contract to make parts for these aircraft, what guarantee is there that the company will be able to make parts for the entire Canadian fleet? Apparently, this company will make parts not just for the Canadian fleet, but for the American fleet too.

National Defence committee  In my opinion, it is the same as using the taxpayers' money and heading for the casino.