I am certain that we all have experienced the challenges of making a major purchase in our lives. Whether a home, car, or even a savings investment, the actual cost is not easy to pin down with options to consider, financing costs and value for dollar.
This is no different with government procurement on major items. I am certain you are aware of the large investment your government is making in equipping our Canadian Forces. After the last government’s 10 long years of capital neglect, your government has committed to ensuring our Canadian Forces are equipped to do the job of protecting us and our Canadian sovereignty.
The amounts are staggering, but we are making certain that the purchases made will bring opportunities for Canadian jobs and businesses. The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy will provide 15,000 jobs for Canadians. The two shipyards, one in Vancouver and one in Halifax, were the successful bidders. The budget to acquire these ships is $2.6 billion and it will not change. The cost to operate and maintain these ships is $150 million per year over 30 years. Currently, the builders are at the design stage. Our government has set up a secretariat to oversee this procurement to ensure it is done professionally and without political interference.
The same can be said for the procurement of aircraft to replace the F-18s that have come to the end of their life cycle. We have committed to the development of the F-35s, and are currently reviewing the costs and capability of this aircraft to ensure Canadians receive value for dollar. The cost of replacing the F-18s is still $9 billion dollars for 65 aircraft. This has not changed. The procurement secretariat is also overseeing this purchase. Remember, the delivery of the aircraft is spread out over 20 years and the life cycle of the aircraft’s operational costs is spread over 42 years.
You can imagine the challenges for your government in making these types of purchases, but keep in mind the experience you had during your last major purchase. It takes time and you make decisions on the best information you have. Currently, we are accumulating the information so that we can make the best decisions on behalf of all Canadians. Our ministers are doing proper due diligence!
-Colin Mayes, MP
Okanagan-Shuswap