WASHINGTON: In 2015, the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came to office promising to cancel a planned purchase of the F-35 joint strike fighter. Seven years later, the Trudeau government has decided the F-35 is the best solution for Canada’s needs. The announcement, made Monday by Minister of Public Services and Procurement Filomena Tassi and Defense Minister Anita Anand, serves as a culmination of years of political wrangling between Canadian political parties and lobbying from US industry. The planned procurement of 88 jets could be under contract before the end of the year, with negotiations between Ottawa and prime contractor Lockheed Martin set to begin this week. Canada has budgeted $19 billion Canadian (roughly $15 billion US) for the purchase, which could see jets delivered as soon as 2025 to replace the aging CF-18 fleet. The procurement minister also noted that Lockheed is not locked in as the winner here. Should the company, during negotiations, fail to come to
ABCO Industries in Lunenburg was recently awarded a major contract from the federal government to repair search and rescue boats used by the Canadian .