Timeline: F-35

Canada begins participation in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program with a $10-million investment.

Canada contributes another $150 million to the system development phase following the successful bid by Lockheed Martin.

National Defence concludes a study of potential CF-18 replacements with a "strong preference for the F-35," according to the auditor general.

Canada signs a Memorandum of Understanding for the next phase of JSF development, expected to cost US$551 million through 2051. Canada also had to accept F-35 procurement rules, according to the auditor general, who claimed ministers were not fully informed of this aspect.

The Canada First Defence Strategy calls for replacing the CF-18 fleet, beginning in 2017.

The Pentagon notifies Canada that the U.S. is "reassessing its cost projections" because of expected delays in development, according to the auditor general.

In order to gain support for sole-sourcing the F-35, National Defence informs Public Works that it is the only available aircraft to meet Canada's future requirements.

The government announced plans to acquire 65 F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Lockheed Martin, calling it the only fifth-generation design that can meet Canada's needs and ensure interoperability with NATO allies. DND estimated a $9-billion acquisition cost.

Opposition parties question the plan to sole-source the new planes.

The auditor general would later conclude that "in the lead-up to this announcement, required documents were prepared and key steps were taken out of sequence. Key decisions were made without required approvals or supporting documentation."

Public Works officials receive a more formal statement of operational requirements from National Defence, as is required to justify procuring the F-35 without a competition.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose, and Industry Minister Tony Clement appear at the Commons defence committee

Auditor General's report on military helicopter procurement - WATCH

The Standing Committee on Finance asks the parliamentary budget officer to analyze F-35 costs.

House of Commons debate on a Liberal motion to immediately cancel the F-35 tendering process.

Kevin Page's request to DND for a breakdown of the $9-billion acquisition cost cited by the government.

Here is the response

Report by Parliamentary Budget Officer on F-35 cost estimate

National Defence defended their estimates in a public response ($14.7 billion over 20 years). The auditor general would later report that the figures did not include operating, personnel, or training costs.

A parliamentary committee recommends the government be held in contempt of Parliament for failing to provide enough documents, including per-plane F-35 cost estimates. The government falls soon after, triggering an election. WATCH

The Conservative platform remains committed to the F-35, with Stephen Harper saying increasing production costs in the United States will not affect Canada’s purchase price. Both the NDP and Liberals pledge to halt the process.

CPAC airs "F-35: The Politics of Procurement," a documentary produced with military journalist Scott Taylor. WATCH

Peter MacKay and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reiterate their support for the F-35 program in Halifax.

Associate Defence Minister Julian Fantino tells the Commons defence committee that the government has not ruled out backing away from the F-35 program.

Auditor General's spring report on F-35 procurement and cost - WATCH

The government announces seven measures in response, including an "F-35 Secretariat" within Public Works.

MacKay promises greater oversight and maintained that major differences between internal and external cost estimates were differences in accounting. WATCH

The PBO explains his cost estimate process to DND officials -- plus the response from National Defence one day later asking for more details

Kevin Page responds to DND with more details of his office's accounting practices

Kevin Page's request to DND for full life-cycle cost information

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts begins a study into the auditor general's report. Michael Ferguson is the first to appear. VIDEO

Senior bureaucrats and the head of the Royal Canadian Air Force defend their management of the project at the public accounts committee. WATCH

The witnesses return to the public accounts committee, along with Kevin Page. WATCH

House Speaker Andrew Scheer rules against a Liberal question of privilege that claims cabinet ministers intentionally misled Parliament concerning F-35 costs.