fighter

Wednesday December 12, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday December 12, 2012

3 reports of fighter jet cost overruns are due this week

Wings are clipped on Peter MacKay ‘F-35’

A confidential report says Christmas break can’t come soon enough for the government, as it braces for up to three reports about the costs for the F-35 fighter jet before the House rises.

Expected as early as today is the accounting firm KPMG’s independent audit, which is reported to tally the total costs of the F-35 procurement project to anywhere from $40 billion to $46 billion, a figure almost three times the cost the government touted while shooting down anyone who disagreed, including its own parliamentary budget officer. Kevin Page estimated the cost was closer to $30 billion.

Although the KPMG report uses a longer life-cycle estimate for the jets (36 years) than the government did (20 years), the significantly higher cost will likely bring on a firestorm of outrage from opposition benches. That is, if it’s possible to ratchet up any further the outrage that emanated from the NDP and the Liberals Tuesday, as opposition members flung back at the government seemingly every claim it ever made about the F-35s.

To the government, it might have seemed like being confronted with their own ghosts of Christmas past, as the opposition chided them for underestimating the cost, for warning that if the F-35 project was cancelled taxpayers would be out a billion dollars, and for speculating that without the F-35s lives could possibly be lost.

The F-35 file is so contentious that it’s no longer handled by Defence Minister Peter MacKay, who had become a lightning rod for controversy over the fighter jets. After a scathing report from the auditor general in April, the file was transferred to Minister of Public Works Rona Ambrose. (Source: CBC News) 

 

Saturday April 14, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Saturday April 14, 2012

F-35 Stooges

Directed by brothers Peter Farrelly and Bobby Farrelly, the 20th Century Fox movie brings back the beloved trio, this time starring Chris Diamantopoulos, Will Sasso and Sean Hayes in the roles of Moe, Curly and Larry respectively.

In the comedy, the brothers are trying to save their childhood orphanage and inadvertently stumble into a murder plot and wind up starring in a reality TV show. The cast also includes Jane Lynch, Sofia Vergara, Jennifer Hudson and Larry David.

The Three Stooges is projected to do well at the box office; it’s estimated that the film will earn $15 million on opening weekend. At the moment, the movie is averaging a 43 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. (Source: Hollywood Reporter) 

Meanwhile the F-35 controversy continues with a couple key figures: Defence Minister Peter MacKay — Canada’s defence minister since 2007, MacKay has positioned himself as a strong supporter of the military. MacKay announced the government’s plans to purchase 65 F-35s to much fanfare in July 2010, and he has continued to point out that the F-35 is the only stealth fighter available to Canada even after other ministers began softening their support for the plane. The project was taken out of his hands and given to Associate Defence Minister Julian Fantino last May as cost overruns and delays mounted. Opposition parties have been demanding his resignation.

Associate Defence Minister Julian Fantino — Prime Minister Stephen Harper charged Fantino with overseeing all military procurement following the federal election last May. After initially refusing to publicly admit concerns with the F-35’s development, Fantino admitted last month that the government had not closed the door on the possibility Canada will walk away from the stealth fighter. Internal documents show he has been quietly raising concerns about the project with Lockheed Martin and other partner nations. (Source: Vancouver Sun)

 

Wednesday April 4, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday April 4, 2012 Auditor general slams CanadaÕs plan to buy F-35 jets Opposition parties accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of dodging responsibility for the F-35 fiasco and said Defence Minister PeterÊMcKay should be fired for allowing Parliament to be misled about cost overruns and other problems with the trouble-plagued $25 billionÊfighter purchase. ÒItÕs absolutely scandalous that the Canadian government would intentionally provide information that they knew to be false,Ó NDPÊLeader Thomas Mulcair said after the federal auditor general released a report saying defence officials kept Canadians in the dark aboutÊcost overruns and production delays on the aircraft Ottawa plans to buy. ÒMinisters are accountable before Parliament and the Prime Minister is the first among them,Ó Mulcair told the media. ÒDid he (Harper)Êknow that the information was false that the Conservative government was giving? If so, itÕs unconscionable. And, if he didnÕt know,Êfrankly, itÕs a question of incompetence.Ó The criticism mounted even as the Conservative government moved quickly Tuesday to quell the fallout from Auditor General MichaelÊFergusonÕs scathing report, which includes the stunning conclusion that the fighters could cost $10 billion more than the defenceÊdepartment has publicly acknowledged. Harper responded by freezing the budget for the controversial fighter jet purchase and stripped the defence department of responsibilityÊfor the procurement process, handing it instead to a new secretariat within Public Works and Government Services. (Source: Toronto Star)Êhttp://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2012/04/03/auditor_general_slams_canadas_plan_to_buy_f35_jets.html Canada, Auditor General, Peter MacKay, Stephen Harper, F-35, fighter, jet, military, Defence, eject, controls, button

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday April 4, 2012

Auditor general slams Canada’s plan to buy F-35 jets

Opposition parties accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of dodging responsibility for the F-35 fiasco and said Defence Minister Peter McKay should be fired for allowing Parliament to be misled about cost overruns and other problems with the trouble-plagued $25 billion fighter purchase.

“It’s absolutely scandalous that the Canadian government would intentionally provide information that they knew to be false,” NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair said after the federal auditor general released a report saying defence officials kept Canadians in the dark about cost overruns and production delays on the aircraft Ottawa plans to buy.

“Ministers are accountable before Parliament and the Prime Minister is the first among them,” Mulcair told the media. “Did he (Harper) know that the information was false that the Conservative government was giving? If so, it’s unconscionable. And, if he didn’t know, frankly, it’s a question of incompetence.”

The criticism mounted even as the Conservative government moved quickly Tuesday to quell the fallout from Auditor General Michael Ferguson’s scathing report, which includes the stunning conclusion that the fighters could cost $10 billion more than the defence department has publicly acknowledged.

Harper responded by freezing the budget for the controversial fighter jet purchase and stripped the defence department of responsibility for the procurement process, handing it instead to a new secretariat within Public Works and Government Services. (Source: Toronto Star)

 

Wednesday June 22, 2011

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday June 22, 2011 Back-to-work Legislation in the making Canada Post workers are gathering in the heart of Toronto's downtown to rally against the federal government's attempt to force them to go back to work if a contract agreement can't be struck. John Cartwright, the president of Toronto and York region labour council, said he expects hundreds to gather at the rally Wednesday morning at the intersection of Yonge and Dundas streets. In addition to postal workers, workers from every sector of the economy are expected to attend the rush-hour rally at one of the busiest corners in the city. Those people, Cartwright said, are standing up for the next generation of Canadian workers who deserve the same wages and benefits his generation received. As of about 8:30 a.m., more than 100 workers had assembled at Yonge and Dundas, surrounded by loudspeakers and carrying placards emblazoned with slogans like "negotiate not legislate." The rally comes two days after the Conservative government in Ottawa tabled back-to-work legislation. Parliament spent much of the day Tuesday debating the legislation, which would force workers to go back to work should the union, CUPW, and management fail to reach a deal on a new contract. The government hopes to vote on the legislation Thursday. Canada Post locked out workers on June 14, after 12 days of rotating strikes launched by the union. The two sides met for talks on Tuesday (Source: CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/no-new-talks-set-for-canada-post-and-union-1.978939 Canada, Stephen Harper, Public service, back-to-work, legislation, majority, Ottawa, Postal, strike, fighter, jet

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday June 22, 2011

Back-to-work Legislation in the making

Canada Post workers are gathering in the heart of Toronto’s downtown to rally against the federal government’s attempt to force them to go back to work if a contract agreement can’t be struck.

John Cartwright, the president of Toronto and York region labour council, said he expects hundreds to gather at the rally Wednesday morning at the intersection of Yonge and Dundas streets.

In addition to postal workers, workers from every sector of the economy are expected to attend the rush-hour rally at one of the busiest corners in the city.

Those people, Cartwright said, are standing up for the next generation of Canadian workers who deserve the same wages and benefits his generation received. As of about 8:30 a.m., more than 100 workers had assembled at Yonge and Dundas, surrounded by loudspeakers and carrying placards emblazoned with slogans like “negotiate not legislate.”

The rally comes two days after the Conservative government in Ottawa tabled back-to-work legislation. Parliament spent much of the day Tuesday debating the legislation, which would force workers to go back to work should the union, CUPW, and management fail to reach a deal on a new contract.

The government hopes to vote on the legislation Thursday.

Canada Post locked out workers on June 14, after 12 days of rotating strikes launched by the union. The two sides met for talks on Tuesday (Source: CBC News)

 

Monday July 19, 2010

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday July 19, 2010

Peter MacKay Rejects Criticism of F-35 Jet

Canada’s defense minister rejected suggestions on Friday that the F-35 fighter jet was unnecessarily sophisticated and costly for the country’s relatively small air force.

After confirming that Canada will spend about 9 billion Canadian dollars, or $8.7 billion, to buy 65 F-35s from Lockheed Martin and to cover deployment costs, Peter MacKay said that the Conservative government would not compromise on military equipment.

“This aircraft is the best that we can provide our men and women in uniform and this government is committed to giving them the very best,” Mr. MacKay told a news conference while standing in front of a full-size model of the fighter jet.

The announcement of a multibillion-dollar commitment by the Canadian government should bolster a program that has been plagued with delays and substantial price increases.

Even before the announcement, the purchase had become the source of political controversy. Aside from its cost, which may reach 16 billion Canadian dollars once maintenance and parts contracts are signed, opposition politicians are angry about the lack of a competitive tender process.

On Thursday, the Liberal Party said that it would oppose the purchase. An alliance of opposition parties could stall or block the deal.

“I’m not suggesting that this may not be the best fighter aircraft for the Canadian forces,” said Ujjal Dosanjh, a Liberal member of Parliament responsible for military issues. “But we don’t know that without going through a process.” (The New York Times)