Cost of F-35, an independent auditor to the rescue

Liberals and New Democrats believe that the Harper government no longer trusts the numbers provided by the Department of Defense, nor the ministers responsible for the cost of the F-35 stealth fighters.

This is what explains the decision of the Minister Rona Ambrose to seek an independent audit of budgetary estimates related to the purchase of 65 F-35, they claim.

In the Commons, the NDP Christine Moore has accused the Conservatives of Stephen Harper not to come clean about the true costs of the F-35. She recalled that Ottawa had not met its commitment to disclose the estimated cost of these aircraft, 60 days after receipt of the estimates in this direction.

"Why should Canadians wait before getting an accurate picture of the F-35? When the Conservatives will they finally be transparent? "

However, in the opinion of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Rona Ambrose, no question of deposit of estimated budgets of the Department of National Defence before they are independently verified. "We will ensure we provide the exact figures," she said.

The government has been rapped over the knuckles by the Auditor General Michael Ferguson that he was accused of trying to hide the cost of purchasing the F-35 aircraft on the basis of incomplete data provided by the Department of National Defence . Ultimately, these aircraft will cost $ 25 billion, not $ 16 billion, Mr. Ferguson noted in his report.

For the interim Liberal leader Bob Rae, the external audit is the best proof that the Harper government does not trust or officials or the Minister of Defence Peter MacKay or the Associate Minister of Defence Julian Fantino.

"It's such an extraordinary lack of confidence from the government in its own government, in his own practice," said Mr. Rae. In the same vein, the NDP Matthew Kellway believes that this is a "deep mistrust" toward the Associate Minister and the Minister.

As for MacKay, he seems to have been left out of this process. He could appoint the independent auditor in question.

"I'm not sure. It would be better to ask the Minister Ambrose, "he said Tuesday.