An F-35A Lightning II fighter jet practises for an air show appearance in Ottawa on September 6, 2019. A group called the No Fighter Jets Coalition is planning weekend rallies to oppose Ottawa's plans to buy F-35 strike fighters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
OTTAWA – A group called the No Fighter Jets Coalition is holding weekend rallies to oppose Ottawa’s plans to buy F-35 strike fighters.
The Canadian Press revealed last month the Department of National Defence received approval to spend $7 billion on 16 F-35 fighter jets and related gear.
It’s part of a decade-long process to buy 88 fighter jets to replace aging CF-18s in the coming years.
Activists will rally today until Sunday across the country, asking Ottawa to cancel the deal, arguing the jets lead to militarization and harm the environment.
The activists plan to unfurl a banner on Parliament Hill on Saturday at noon.
Canada’s defence policy says the F-35s are necessary to counter evolving threats such as surface-to-air missiles and to co-operate with allies.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2023.
