1997

As Canadian CF-18 fighter jets fly in Bosnia, the Department of National Defence (DND) signs on to the first phase of the Joint Strike Fighter Program, making Canada part of the F-35 development program. Canada signs on to be an ``informed partner'' - and to therefore be involved in the aircraft's design - at a cost of $10 million.

2001

The American government chooses the F-35 as its fighter jet of the future. Initial production run for the F-35 is expected to be 3,000 planes in the first 30 years, with 2,000 more to be exported to American allies, including Canada.

The federal government signs on to the second phase of the program. Treasury Board approves $171 million for the second phase. A Canadian representative is assigned to the F-35 program office.

2006

DND completes a preliminary analysis of five aircraft that could replace the aging CF-18 fleet. The federal government agrees to the third phase of the F-35 project and Treasury Board officials approve $192 million in spending to be part of the $276 billion US program - the most expensive U.S. weapons program in history.

Signing on to the third phase of the program means Canadian companies will be able to bid on up to $8 billion worth of contracts. It is this moment, Auditor General Michael Ferguson says in his 2012 report, that started Canada down the path to buying the F-35.

Documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen peg the cost of the replacing the CF-18s at $10.5 billion.

The first prototype of the F-35 is completed and ready for test flights. The plane is put on display for the public. The U.S. plans to buy 2,443 airplanes, the first of which are due to be delivered in 2009. Canada is expected to buy 80.

2008

The cost of the program rises to a projected $299 billion.

DND identifies 14 ``high-level mandatory capabilities'' the aircraft meant to replace the CF-18 must meet, and completes an analysis of three contender replacements. DND, under pressure from industry, begins lobbying the federal government for permission to buy the F-35.

2010

In July, the federal government announces plans to buy 65 F-35 fighter jets, 15 fewer than the originally 80 expected, for $9 billion with $7 billion more in maintenance costs.

In a letter to Public Works and Government Services Canada, which oversees government procurement, DND justifies buying the jets without an open competition.

On Oct. 26, Auditor General Sheila Fraser releases her report about the lack of oversight in the $11-billion purchase of military helicopters. She says that her findings have prompted her to order an audit of the F-35.

On Dec. 2, Lockheed Martin executives say if Canada withdraws from the purchase, the domestic aerospace industry could lose out on billions of dollars worth of contracts.

2011

In March, the Parliamentary Budget Officer releases a report that says the government is under-estimating the cost of the F-35. Kevin Page pegs the total cost of the stealth fighters over a period of 30 years at more than $29 billion US. DND responds to the report, telling Parliament the F-35 will cost Canada $14.7 billion. Page's report also says that Canada has not signed any contract for the plane.

2012

DND asks Treasury Board for the power to approve expenditures on the F-35.

On April 3, Auditor General Michael Ferguson releases his spring report that includes a chapter on the F-35 purchase. Ferguson finds Defence Department officials twisted government rules, withheld information from Parliament and whitewashed huge cost overruns on the F-35 program.

The opposition NDP call for Defence Minister Peter MacKay's resignation.

On April 5, Ferguson says the government would have known weeks before the May 2011 election that the F-35 would cost $10 billion more than what the Conservatives were telling Parliament.

2019

Expected delivery date of the first F-35s in Canada.

2020

Estimated end of the current CF-18 fleet.

Source: Auditor General's spring report, Postmedia News archives