Joly says Canada ‘didn’t get enough’ benefits out of F-35 procurement deal

OTTAWA — Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says the Liberal government believes Canada “didn’t get enough” industrial benefits out of its contract for American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets.

Talking to reporters on Parliament Hill today, Joly said the government needs “more jobs created out of the F-35 contract.”

Her comments come as the Swedish firm Saab considers whether to set up shop in Canada to build its Gripen fighter jets in response to a spike in demand from Ukraine.

Joly says the Swedish defence company is pitching production that could create 10,000 jobs in Canada — but Ottawa will have to kick the tires on the offer.