Peter MacKay F-35 Photo Op Costs Canadians $47,000

The F-35s may be overpriced, had no oversight, and the process to acquire them might have ignored every procurement rule in the Department of National Defence, but at least the photo op announcing them only cost $47,000.

Wait, what?

A 2010 news conference to announce Canada’s plan to buy 65 F-35 fighters cost Canadians a whopping $47,313, the Harper government revealed this week. The costs involved audio-visual services as well as hosting national media guests and high-profile political guests including Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose and Treasury Board President Tony Clement. The model F-35 itself was provided generously at no charge by Lockheed Martin, who built the model and shipped it to Ottawa “via flatbed truck” for the photo op – the least they could do, given they expect to earn the lion’s share of the $25 billion overall expected cost for the new fighters.

The Harper government has been under fire in recent months for publicly low balling the cost of the new fighter jets. A committee set up to investigate the procurement process was shut down recently by the Harper Government after just seven hours of testimony.

How Much Are Those Jets? Harper Government to Shut Down Committee Hearings

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Read more: canada, F-35, harper government, Peter MacKay, stephen harper

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Michael O.

7:34PM PDT on Jun 11, 2012

More waste from the Harper Regime - all PR, no substance.

June 11
send a green star

Doug G.

8:22PM PDT on Jun 10, 2012

Canadians better wake up or you will soon be as screwed as the U.S.

June 10
send a green star

Christina V.

11:35PM PDT on Jun 9, 2012

The insatiable need to buy status symbols and idiocy of most politicians, never ceases to amaze me. It's more important to buy military hardware than educate, properly feed, provide health care or attend to an encroaching ecological disaster of humungus proportions. It's a pity that the DSM doesn't have a category for certifying people who engage in self agrandising political activity. Naked Emperors, all of them.....and where are the children to point out the state of their magical clothes?????

June 9
send a green star

Christina R.

11:10PM PDT on Jun 9, 2012

Our Prime Monster, Mr. Harper thinks that he can shop and buy whatever he wants, wherever he wants, whenever he wants, this is what HE thinks he was hired to do.
*One of the problems we have with this is that WE are allowing him to continue, as he rapes and pillages our country and it's citizens, along with ruining our International reputation.
I have always been proud to be Canadian, pay my taxes and support my government; this sadly is the first time in over 65 years that I am ASHAMED.
WE MUST GET RIDE OF THIS MANIAC NOW.

Vicky P.

2:53PM PDT on Jun 9, 2012

sigh

Terry V.

1:20PM PDT on Jun 9, 2012

noted

Hartson D.

11:49AM PDT on Jun 9, 2012

As a member of the Organization of American States, Canada needs no standing military. Costa Rica has none. They rely on the US for it's protection. If a member state is attacked. Then all they have to do is call DC cry for help. And BIG BROTHER in the North will come and protect them. The Canadians can do this too. The US spend more in getting ready to war than the other TOP FIVE countries COMBINED!!!

Sandra K.

11:08AM PDT on Jun 9, 2012

Satan Harper & his minions are, by far, the sleaziest politicians I've ever seen in Canada. Every time I think about these jets & how far down they have dragged Canada into the cesspool we're in now I feel sick to my stomach. As long as these lying pigs are in power we're in big trouble. They are dismantling the democratic system in Canada piece by piece while we just sit by & watch them do it.

Mike B.

9:19AM PDT on Jun 9, 2012

War toys create debt. Debt creates money. Bankers win.

Tom J.

8:59AM PDT on Jun 9, 2012

F-35: the 35 stands for 35 billion dollars per plane when all is said and done, and the "F", I cannot complete the word or the phrase because of the peaceful nature of this web site.