Cancel the F-35 and P8 Poseidon purchases and replace them with non-American alternatives
The Issue
In light of the Trump tariffs that still threaten Canada and his repeated attacks on our sovereignty, it is time to reconsider the purchase of the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets and the Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft. Not only will these aircraft now cost considerably more because of the tariffs (as some parts are made in Canada), but it seems unconscionable to be rewarding American businesses at a time when the Trump administration seeks to unjustly punish Canada and Canadians with the goal of forcing us to become the 51st state.
There are alternatives to the American aircraft that will provide even more jobs for Canadians and can be built in Canada, including the runner-ups in the Canadian governments procurement competition: the Saab Gripen and the Bombardier Global 7500.
The Gripen is an excellent fighter jet with many attributes that make it a better fit for Canada than the F-35. These include an ability to land and take off from rough, short fields and a proven arctic environment ability. The Gripen also costs less and is one tenth the cost to maintain per hour of flight time--$4,200/hr compared to the F-35's $42,000/hr). Saab also offered to have the Gripen assembled in Canada, providing quality jobs and the capacity to scale up in the event of a conflict requiring more aircraft, as well as technology transfer that would have been of benefit to Canada.
The Bombardier is a proven jet of much more recent design than the aging Boeing P-8A line. It is faster, more efficient, and can stay on station longer. Moreover, the Bombardier Global 7500 is built in Canada, which would again mean high quality jobs for Canadians and keep more of the money in this country to further boost our economy.
The government has urged Canadians to buy Canadian in these difficult times when our relationship with the United States has soured (through no fault of our own). The government should heed its own counsel and do likewise in the procurement of these aircraft. Please sign and spread this petition to urge the Canadian government to cancel the P-8A and the F-35 and go Canadian instead.
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The Issue
In light of the Trump tariffs that still threaten Canada and his repeated attacks on our sovereignty, it is time to reconsider the purchase of the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets and the Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft. Not only will these aircraft now cost considerably more because of the tariffs (as some parts are made in Canada), but it seems unconscionable to be rewarding American businesses at a time when the Trump administration seeks to unjustly punish Canada and Canadians with the goal of forcing us to become the 51st state.
There are alternatives to the American aircraft that will provide even more jobs for Canadians and can be built in Canada, including the runner-ups in the Canadian governments procurement competition: the Saab Gripen and the Bombardier Global 7500.
The Gripen is an excellent fighter jet with many attributes that make it a better fit for Canada than the F-35. These include an ability to land and take off from rough, short fields and a proven arctic environment ability. The Gripen also costs less and is one tenth the cost to maintain per hour of flight time--$4,200/hr compared to the F-35's $42,000/hr). Saab also offered to have the Gripen assembled in Canada, providing quality jobs and the capacity to scale up in the event of a conflict requiring more aircraft, as well as technology transfer that would have been of benefit to Canada.
The Bombardier is a proven jet of much more recent design than the aging Boeing P-8A line. It is faster, more efficient, and can stay on station longer. Moreover, the Bombardier Global 7500 is built in Canada, which would again mean high quality jobs for Canadians and keep more of the money in this country to further boost our economy.
The government has urged Canadians to buy Canadian in these difficult times when our relationship with the United States has soured (through no fault of our own). The government should heed its own counsel and do likewise in the procurement of these aircraft. Please sign and spread this petition to urge the Canadian government to cancel the P-8A and the F-35 and go Canadian instead.
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Petition created on February 7, 2025