F-35
$31 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure or $29.3 billion for warplanes?
In November 2007, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities released its report titled Danger Ahead: The Coming Collapse of Canada’s Municipal Infrastructure, which stated that $31 billion was needed to “repair and prevent deterioration” in water infrastructure (distribution, supply and treatment) and wastewater systems (sanitary and storm sewers and related treatment facilities). That critically needed money has not been forthcoming from the Harper government.
Now CBC.ca reports that, “It will cost close to $30 billion to buy and maintain 65 F-35 fighter jets according to Parliament’s budget watchdog — billions more than (the $17.6 billion estimate) given by the Conservative government. Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page said in a report Thursday that his $29.3 billion estimate covers the purchase price and sustainment costs for the fleet over 30 years.”
While the FCM has made it very clear in its report why the water and wastewater infrastructure repair is needed, the parliamentary budget officer says “the statement of requirements (for the jet fighters) has not been made publicly available…” But we do get this rhetoric from the government — according to the Toronto Star, Government House Leader John Baird said, “There is no denying that the new jet fighters that our air force so desperately needs…will have a price. …It’s the price we’re prepared to pay.”
To send this message to the prime minister and opposition leaders, “I strongly urge you to stop the proposed purchase of F-35 stealth fighters, and instead use the funds to meet urgent public priorities.” – go to the ceasefire.ca website at http://www.ceasefire.ca/.
The news articles are at http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/03/10/pol-pbo-page-fighterjet.html and http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/951698–budget-watchdog-doubles-price-estimate-for-f-35-jets?bn=1.
