(April 5, 2012) OTTAWA - The National Citizens Coalition is calling on the federal Conservatives to come clean about the true costs and decision-making process of the much-maligned F-35 jet purchase.  

"The Auditor General's report issued this week raised serious questions about this government's commitment to transparency and oversight," says Peter Coleman, President and CEO of the National Citizens Coalition. "If this government was aware of billions of dollars in additional costs they had a responsibility to share that information with taxpayers."

According to Auditor General Michael Ferguson's report, the planned F-35 jet purchase carries actual costs closer to $25-billion - a full 65% higher than the publicly reported figure of $14.7-billion.

"Canada's armed forces deserve the best equipment available, yet taxpayers also deserve the highest level of respect as we work to battle down the deficit," adds Coleman. "The only way to balance these two needs is complete transparency."

The entire F-35 decision-making process stands in stark contrast to the recent federal ship-building contracts that were awarded in a highly transparent, 'hands-off' approach.

"The F-35 purchase has been a highly politicized item right from the outset," says Stephen Taylor, a Director with the NCC. "This entire debate has taken place along vicious partisan lines - and now the Conservatives will have to answer for the Auditor General's report."

This report places the federal Conservatives in a difficult situation, as their party ran on a platform of improved accountability in last May's election.

"This is an opportunity for the party to demonstrate its commitment to these principles and forge a new path moving forward," adds Taylor. "If there was a deliberate effort by any Cabinet minister to conceal the true costs of the F-35 purchase taxpayers deserve answers."

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