Everyone wants out of Afghanistan, but what to do afterwards remains an open question. On the purchase of F-35 fighter jets, the Tories stand alone.

The Conservatives say:

Stephen Harper pledged to extend Canada’s mission in Afghanistan beyond 2011, the original pullout date. About 1,000 Canadian troops will remain in the country until 2014 in a non-combat training role. The Conservatives intend to buy 65 new F-35 fighter jets to replace Canada’s aging fleet of F-18s. They estimate the planes will cost $14 billion to $16 billion, making the deal the most expensive military procurement in Canadian history.

The critics say:

According to Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page, the cost of the F-35s could run as high as $30 billion, a bill Canadians could ill afford at a time of record national debt. Accusations that the federal government attempted to cover up the mistreatment of Afghan detainees captured by Canadian troops continue to dog the Conservatives.

The Liberals say:

In a rare show of bipartisanship, the Liberals backed the Conservative government’s plan to extend the Afghan mission. On the F-35s, however, the Liberals strongly disagree, and Michael Ignatieff has promised to cancel the contract and find a more affordable way to upgrade Canada’s air force. He hasn’t ruled out finding a cheaper contract for the F-35s.

The critics say:

Canada’s air force is outdated and we rely largely on the U.S. to protect our air space. State-of-the-art jets are needed to assert our sovereignty, and the multibillion-dollar bill is a small price to pay to decrease our reliance on Uncle Sam.

The NDP says:

In 2006, Jack Layton earned the nickname “Taliban Jack” for making the unpopular suggestion that Canada negotiate with the Taliban. He’s since been partially vindicated on that front, as U.S. commanders have endorsed the idea of brokering a deal with the insurgents. As part of his 2011 platform, Layton has vowed to end pension reductions for retired and disabled veterans, and to help returning soldiers find jobs in the construction industry.

The critics say:

Negotiating with the Taliban will result in complete failure of the Afghan mission that has cost so many Canadians their lives. Our goal is to oust the Taliban, not sit down for tea with them.