Canada's new government will dump the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the troubled and expensive stealth jets Australia has committed $24 billion to buy.

The victorious Liberals leader Justin Trudeau has also pledged to put a stop to his country's role in bombing Islamic State targets in strife-torn Syria, where the Australian air force recently commenced operations, as well as Iraq.

The demise of Conservative leader Stephen Harper marks the end of an era in close ties with Coalition figures in Australia, with Mr Harper initially close to John Howard during the early days of his leadership before later befriending Tony Abbott.

Mr Trudeau vowed in September during the election campaign to open a fresh competition to replace Canada's ageing fighter jets, rather than continuing with the F-35 program.