By Canadian Press

Rival fighter-jet makers warn procurement rule change for F-35 will hurt Canada

May 29, 2019 | 12:23 PM

OTTAWA — Fighter-jet makers say the Trudeau government’s plan to loosen federal procurement rules for the F-35 stealth fighter will ultimately hurt Canada.

The Liberals revealed earlier this month that they plan to ease industrial requirements for aerospace companies in the $19-billion competition to replace Canada’s aging CF-18s.

The proposal followed U.S. complaints the previous criteria violated Canada’s obligations as one of nine partner countries in the development of the F-35, which is being built by Lockheed Martin.

Yet rival firms Boeing and Saab are criticizing the plan, which will lift a long-standing requirement that defence companies promise to put some of their contract money into Canadian industry if they win a competition.

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Executives for Boeing, which builds the Super Hornet, and Saab, which builds the Gripen jet, say the previous policy has worked well and changing it could damage Canada’s aerospace sector.

And while they won’t say whether they think the government’s proposal unfairly tilts the upcoming competition in favour of the F-35, they also won’t say if they will compete should the change go ahead.

The Canadian Press