A point of clarification

According to the Cons, we absolutely can't wait another second to commit Canada to buying F-35s at some point in the future (assuming the entire program isn't scrapped by more canny would-be purchasers around the world). But when it comes to making time for those F-35s for arrive...well, suddenly we have all the time in the world:

Liberal critic Marc Garneau said the four-year delay and doubling in price of the F-35 “is cause for extreme concern because the federal government is committing itself to an aircraft that is not fully developed.”

Lawson said development of the conventional F-35 has been advancing well and “it’s from that that I take great promise with this program and great confidence in it.”

The general said Canada is “buffered somewhat” from any further delays in the delivery of the F-35s because the recently upgraded CF-18s provide “manoeuvre space in when we would purchase aircraft. So, if required, we might be able to extend the final date of service of the F-18.”