OTTAWA – The Department of National Defence’s procurement process to replace its aging snow shovels has been further delayed while the cost has inflated to over $6 billion.

The military has been using Lockheed Martin’s tactical snow removal devices for over 40 years which features a retro polypropylene blade and wooden shafts.

“Snow removal technology is constantly evolving,” said a defence lobbyist from Raytheon, which is one of the defence companies who have placed a bid. “The Canadian Armed Forces can’t fall behind in shovelling technology to the Russians and needs to keep up with the US and its NATO allies.”

The delays and cost increases have been blamed on a lack of interoperability with allies during coalition-related snowstorm deployments, bidders suing the government for unfair procurement processes, and flawed blade designs that cracked in -2 C weather.

In related news, the military finally agreed to purchase General Dynamics’ stealth sandbag at $2 million a piece.