[Craic] FW: Budget - response from the office of Chrystia Freeland re $10 billion towards the purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets

[David Walsh]

Below is a response I received from the office of Chrystia Freeland - in response to an email I wrote re the recent Budget. The estimated lifetime cost of the 88 fighter jets is estimated at $70 billion +.

David

From: Freeland, Chrystia - M.P. <Chrystia.Freeland at parl.gc.ca>
Sent: April 13, 2022 3:36 PM
To: David Walsh <david at dwalsh.ca>
Subject: RE: Budget - $10 billion towards the purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets

Dear David,


Thank you for reaching out, we welcome your critical feedback and opinions.

As you are aware, following a rigorous evaluation of proposals the Government of Canada announced it will now enter into the finalization phase of the procurement process with the top-ranked bidder, the United States (US) government and Lockheed Martin, for the F-35 fighter jet. This procurement represents the most significant investment in the RCAF in more than 30 years. It is essential for protecting the safety and security of Canadians, it will enhance our Arctic sovereignty, it will ensure we are equipped to better defend North America and it will help make sure we continue to meet our NATO and NORAD obligations well into the future.

Obtaining these jets ensures the requirements of the RCAF are met while also providing value for Canadians, generating high-value jobs in Canada as well as further growth for the Canadian aerospace and defence sector for decades to come. That being said, I have passed along your email to the Ministry for their consideration and will be sure to share your comments with Chrystia.


Kind Regards,

[HoC_Full+Colour_Detailed_75mm_CDC_Couleur_D?taill?-75mm]
Karel Peters
Constituency Assistant
Office of the Hon. Chrystia Freeland
Member of Parliament for University-Rosedale

344 Bloor St. West, Suite 510, Toronto ON, M5S 3A7
Tel.: (416) 928- 1451|  Fax: (416) 928-2377



From: David Walsh <david at dwalsh.ca>
Sent: April 8, 2022 4:47 PM
To: Freeland, Chrystia - Riding 1C <Chrystia.Freeland.C1C at parl.gc.ca>
Cc: Freeland, Chrystia - Riding 1 <Chrystia.Freeland.C1 at parl.gc.ca>; chrystia.freeland at international.gc.ca; Freeland, Chrystia - Riding 1A <Chrystia.Freeland.C1A at parl.gc.ca>
Subject: Re: Budget - $10 billion towards the purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets



To: Chrystia.Freeland.C1C at parl.gc.ca<mailto:Chrystia.Freeland.C1C at parl.gc.ca>
Cc: Chrystia.Freeland.c1 at parl.gc.ca<mailto:Chrystia.Freeland.c1 at parl.gc.ca>;; Chrystia.Freeland.c1a at parl.gc.ca<mailto:Chrystia.Freeland.c1a at parl.gc.ca>

Subject: Re: Wasted Money for Fighter Jets

As my MP I am writing to express my deep disappointment with the government's approval of $10 billion towards the purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets. This is a waste of money and a huge amount to pay as a political statement.

These funds are needed to help with the rebuilding of Ukraine and for providing housing for refugees and others in Canada.

Pope Francis is one leader who has been calling for reductions in military spending, and his message was covered recently on the front page of the Catholic Register in its March 20th edition. 'War spending' traps us in new Cold War (catholicregister.org)<https://www.catholicregister.org/item/34142-war-spending-traps-us-in-new-cold-war>

In his annual message for the World Day of Peace Jan. 1, 2022, Pope Francis said:
"Governments must drastically reduce military spending for there to be genuine progress and peace in the world. The pursuit of a genuine process of international disarmament can only prove beneficial for the development of peoples and nations, freeing up financial resources better used for health care, schools, infra-structure, care of the land and so forth."

Sincerely,
David Walsh
173 Rosedale Heights Dr, Toronto
david at dwalsh.ca<mailto:david at dwalsh.ca>
Cell: 416-361-1341




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