There's no reason why the F-35 shouldn't work well. Just drop that stupid vertical takeoff requirement and tell the US Marine Corps to work together with the Air Force. That would have dropped the development costs significantly.
The real question is, what are actually the Canadian Air Force requirements? I seriously doubt that Canada needs stealth strike fighters to patrol the remote north. Who's radar do they want to evade? What really irks me is that the so called conservative government wants to blow a shit load of tax payer's money for some military toys, and without properly evaluating all the options. I'm pretty sure the Super Hornet is better suited for the Canadian Air Force, and is half the price! Win win right? I thought the conservatives were supposed to be conservative with money too? I guess conservative now means, cut spending on social programs and science, cut taxes for the rich, reduce environmental regulation, increase military spending, increase the deficit. I do realize there might be some political pressure from the US to buy into this disaster. Harper should just grow some balls and tell them to fuck off.
"Experience has proved that some people indeed know everything." -- Russell Baker