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But opposition parties alleged the government’s refusal to release it proves the emptiness of the government’s promises to be more open and transparent when it comes to selecting a CF-18 replacement.

Those promises were made in late 2012 after Auditor General Michael Ferguson delivered a scathing assessment of the government’s handling of the F-35, and following revelations the aircraft could cost $45 billion. The government had originally said the price would be $16 billion.

NDP defence critic Jack Harris, whose party is demanding a competition to replace the CF-18s, said if the government is going to have the independent panel vouch for the review process, it should release the report at the same time.

“The government should let people have a look at it, and let people decide whether they think it’s a fair analysis,” he said, adding he believes the government is trying to “paper over a lot of mistakes that were made” with the F-35.

The panel, which did not make any recommendations on what the government should do, is comprised of: Keith Coulter, a former fighter pilot who later served as head of the Communications Security Establishment spy agency; University of Ottawa professor Philippe Lagasse, who was an outspoken critic of the way the government chose the F-35 the first time around; former senior government official James Mitchell; and former federal comptroller-general Rod Monette, who also served in senior management positions at National Defence.

In addition to the F-35, the review looked at the Boeing Super Hornet, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Dassault Rafale. It also considered the possibility of continuing to use the CF-18s.

Cabinet is expected to decide soon whether to press ahead with purchasing the F-35 or hold a competition.

lberthiaume@ottawacitizen.com

Twitter.com/leeberthiaume