NDP warns government to steer clear of American F-35 fighter jets
Idlout, Davies call planned purchase a threat to Canadian and Arctic sovereignty
Nunavut MP and NDP defence critic Lori Idlout speaks at a news conference Wednesday beside interim party Leader Don Davies. They are calling on the federal government to cancel the purchase of American fighter jets that they say will put Canadian sovereignty at risk. (Photo by Jorge Antunes)
The federal NDP is calling on the Canadian government to cancel its order of American-made F-35 fighter jets, saying the deal is bad for Canadian sovereignty.
“Canada cannot buy a single F-35,” Nunavut MP Lori Idlout said during a news conference Wednesday on Parliament Hill. Idlout is also the NDP’s defence critic.
Canada has already committed to buying 16 Lockheed Martin F-35 jets, with an option to buy 72 more.
Idlout and NDP interim Leader Don Davies warned that buying American-made fighter jets could make Canada’s defence subject to the unpredictable nature of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump is the only leader to threaten seizure of another NATO ally’s territory, Idlout said, citing his recent threats to take over the autonomous territory of Greenland from Denmark. He has said the U.S. needs to control Greenland for national security reasons and prevent Russia or China from taking it.
“Nunavut’s proximity to Greenland makes this a particularly important issue,” Idlout said.
As Trump’s “attacks on our sovereignty” have continued, Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to make Canada less reliant on the U.S., she said.
But an F-35 deal would put Canada at the mercy of the U.S. for parts for the fighter jets and other technical updates.
“Militaries that use F-35s do not have the right to manage their own maintenance, directly purchase parts or manage their software,” Idlout said.
“Under this program, spare parts stored within our borders are still owned by the United States,” she added.
The NDP wants Canada to buy from a Swedish aerospace company instead.
Saab has proposed selling 72 of its Gripen fighter jets to Canada. Those jets would be made in Canada, creating more than 12,000 jobs.
After the news conference, Idlout said purchasing the Gripen jets would be more cost-effective and could boost Arctic sovereignty because savings could be allocated to boosting Arctic security, including improving airport infrastructure throughout Nunavut.
Since Canada has been considering the F-35 purchase, the estimated cost to buy the jets has increased to $27.7 billion in 2024 from $19 billion in 2022, according to a 2025 Auditor General’s report.
According to a 2023 report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the life-cycle cost of maintenance for the F-35s was expected to be $73.9 billion over a 45-year period.
The life-cycle maintenance cost of the proposed Gripen purchase is one-sixth the cost of the F-35 purchase, according a CBC news article an NDP spokesperson cited, quoting Alan Williams, the Defence Department’s former top procurement official.
The total cost of the proposed purchase of 72 Gripen fighter jets is not currently known, but as noted by Williams during his CBC interview, 70 per cent of the cost of a fighter jet is just in maintenance and upkeep.
Davies said the NDP wants the government to make a clear decision on the future of Canada’s Air Force,
“At a time when the Trump administration is threatening our sovereignty, attacking Canadian workers, increasing tariffs on our industries and interfering in our domestic and foreign policies, going through with any F-35 orders is simply unacceptable,” Davies said.
This USA support should be, has to be, cancelled. Thank you for bringing this to light. Every day folk try to buy Non-USA food, travel and items but this purchase would wipe it all out, and more.
Anyway is anybody realizes that NDP have no right to speak up in Ottawa that party are gone and yes you beat on the wrong one again 😁
What sane person would pass up good quality, inexpensive, USA-made products?
Sit down with your stupidity, no one listens to your non-sense
the weak link to fall for lower prices. Keep buying NON-usa products and they could go down but more so, it boosts our economy overall in the end.
That is your problem, you listen to all the Liberal Canadian Media and believe you’re the injured party. Yet simple facts get in the way. First, Canada gets most of their trade from the US. Second, the US pays for the “vast” majority of Canada’s Defense. Third, Canada already receives over $3 million per F-35 and still hasn’t received its first aircraft. WOW, such a bad deal for Canadians. The simple truth is Trudeau and Carney have played political football with the F-35 for over a decade! If Canada seriously tries to back out of the deal. Trump will severely retaliate, and the American People will be right there with him. I suggest that some be very careful what they wish for. You may get it…
Bring on TDS and anti-American ooze for quick eyes off to-days vote in Parliament, February 4, 2026
The crashing of Nunavut MP Lori Idlout’s war on lower food prices became clear smoke and mirrors.
She voted NAY. Voted against a motion to take action to reduce food prices.
Because her Liberal buddies all voted to keep food prices high?
Steaming, mind-boggling madness.
Here, read part of to-days, members’ motion;
…. the House call on the government to immediately introduce a food Affordability Plan that:
(a) removes the Liberal hidden taxes on food, including,
(i) the industrial carbon tax on farm equipment, fertilizer and food processors, that drives up the costs of producing food and passed onto consumers.
(ii) the fuel standards tax, which is seven cents a liter and rising to 17 cents a liter on farmers, truckers, and those who bring us our food.
(iii) the food packaging tax that will cost Canadians $1.3 billion; and
(b) boosts competition in our overly-concentrated grocery sector.
Does anyone care?
Lori, sit down and be quiet. You are not helping your constituents.
Maybe we should all steer clear of the NDP?
You know you’re too partisan when you’re unable to admit the person you almost always disagree with is right on a particular issue.
Hold on a second, Nunavut MP Idlout. If these jets will boost Arctic security, won’t the jets re-fuel in Nunavut?
Currently, there is barely enough yearly fuel storage to supply commercial airlines.
Iqaluit, Hall Beach, Rankin Inlet and Alert will all need expanded tank farm storage… costing close to or over a billion dollars.
Why are you not hounding the Liberals there are no shovels in the ground building jet fuel storage long before flying regular arctic security missions?
And do you have any updates if a secret Arctic agreement was done during Canada’s trade visit to China, sale or a 99-year lease for Arctic islands or territories?
China would gain Arctic Nation status, and no longer Near Arctic status.
High Arctic lands are exempt from Inuit-owned land. Dealing out crown land.
Did the Americans know what China and Canada were possibly brewing up for the Arctic? If yes, could it help explain the US hard push for Greenland? If becomes a surprise Arctic agreement, then expect wild turbulence.