OTTAWA — The federal Liberal government has inked a sole-source deal with
The
It also comes after
Yet the decision to purchase the two new Challenger 650s could stoke criticism as governors general, prime ministers and cabinet ministers have been routinely accused in the past of using the small private jets as personal flying taxis.
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"We are really pleased to be able to announce that we're going to purchase two new Challenger 650s from
"It was an excellent confluence of timing. We needed the planes with the regulatory changes."
Due to more congested airspace and the incorporation of newer digital technology such as GPS in air-traffic control, countries around the world are phasing in new standards requiring modern navigation systems on all aircraft.
While two Challengers purchased by the federal government in the early 2000s have relatively modern systems, the two Challengers purchased in the 1980s don't meet the new standards.
Ottawa bought itself some time when it inked an agreement in December that lets the two older jets continue to fly in the
Thomas defended the decision to purchase the planes from
"It made sense to buy Canadian capability when there is an innate Canadian capability," she said. "And these planes actually will fit into the fleet very easily. The same technicians. The pilots will be able to fly both types of planes."
Thomas denied the purchase amounted to a handout to
While online searches suggest the going rate for a Challenger 650 is around
"We are not overpaying," she said. "It is more than just the purchase of the plane. ... And so it's too easy to just Google a number. This is the in-totality price."
The Challengers, which can carry nine passengers, have long been attached to controversy, with opposition parties of all stripes painting any use of the jets as inappropriate and wasteful.
Stephen Harper’s Conservative government, which was accused of excessive use of the Challengers, made a point of retiring two of the aircraft in 2014 as a cost-cutting measure. The Tories said at the time that the move would save
Previous governments have said the aircraft are needed because the prime minister and governor general are not allowed, for security reasons, to use commercial aircraft. Defence officials note the Challengers are also used by the military to transport senior officers and troops in some circumstances, as well as for medical evacuations.
The aircraft have also been used to carry supplies and personal protective equipment around the country during the COVID-19 crisis, Thomas said. They also ferried military personnel to
"The
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