Senator Plett: Sure, so let’s buy some more airplanes that are not operational. We would also support that they not fly.

Leader, in 2015, the Prime Minister loudly proclaimed that he would not buy F-35 fighter aircraft. Here we are, seven years later, and the government has apparently changed its tune, though we still don’t have any confirmed purchase of any new aircraft. Instead, we bought 40-year-old F-18s from Australia, and we have been forced to extend Canada’s equally old CF-18s in service.

Leader, will you table a report in this chamber on what the total cost has been to buy and then bring these 18 used aircraft to operational condition? Will you also table a report on the additional costs involved in keeping our equally old CF-18s operational until new aircraft finally arrive?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I will certainly have to look into the details of the specific aircraft that require additional maintenance. I am sure that all senators would agree that, until those airplanes are properly reviewed and properly maintained, they should not fly. I will certainly make inquiries and report back when I can.