As far as i can tell from talking to some of my "winged" friends they all agree that the F-35 is not what Canada needs in a jet. The 35 is designed as a carrier based short distance fighter/interceptor, and our current F-18s are much better suited to our landscape and current military capability. Our mechanics know how to service the 18, and our pilots know how to fly them very well. These issues alone should bring the F-35 viability into question, nevermind the always ballooning costs associated with this project. Folly, pure and simple when it comes to spending that much money on something that we don't "really" need.