Defence Minister David McGuinty says the federal government is still assessing all options as it weighs whether to proceed with the planned purchase of F-35 fighter jets from the U.S.
Ottawa has committed to buying 16 of the fighter aircraft to replace the country’s fleet of CF-18 Hornets.
Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of the contract for the remaining 72 aircraft after the U.S. first announced tariffs on Canadian goods early last year.
Last week, B.C. Premier David Eby added his voice to the chorus urging Ottawa to scrap the contract for the American jets.
“When your friend kicks you in the back, one of the first rules is you don’t then go and buy $12 billion of fighter jets from that person,” Eby told reporters.