Budget officer accuses government of lying about F-35 cost

Canada’s parliamentary budget officer (PBO) believes the government tried to convince the public the cost of the F-35 fighter jet is less than it actually is.

The PBO, Kevin Page, made the claim after a committee meeting looked into the cost of the stealth fighter Canada is planning to buy.

On top of accusing the government of purposely giving out false numbers, Page said key information about the cost of the plane was kept from him while there appears to be two sets of books.

“I think we need to really enhance trust in this country where the kind of information that goes to the cabinet on decision support also goes to parliamentarians,” he said.

Page has been criticized by Conservative members of the committee who targeted the budget officer’s integrity.

Conservative MP Jay Aspin questioned the methods Page used to come up with his figures.

“Why would you use U.S. life cycle estimates when Mr. Page is a Canadian officer?,” Aspin asked.

“We’re buying the planes from the Americans,” Page replied.

The Prime Minister has said that his government did not intend to mislead anyone.

When Defence Minister Peter MacKay was asked if Harper’s comments were correct, he did not exactly deny them.

“We hear those kinds of accusations every single day. We are always hearing those accusations about everything from the opposition,” he said.

MacKay said the controversy of cost is just a difference of opinion on accounting.

He added that the focus needs to be on the new seven point plan from the government.

“With no money missing and no money spent and no contracts signed, we’re going to make sure that we get it right,” MacKay explained.

He pointed out that the new secretariat handling the file will be transparent and ensure the process is fair.

Both the auditor general and the budget officer have claimed the cost of the planes over their life cycle will be at least $10-billion more than the estimate from the government of $14.7-billion.