The media has acquired the letter that DND sent to Public Works in order to justify sole-sourcing the F-35 purchase. It’s two paragraphs, has amateurish technical specifications like “very, very low observable stealth capabilities,” and makes four references to “fifth-generation fighter,” which is not a real capability but is rather a trademarked slogan. And this is what passes for due diligence in military procurements. My question is which ministers were copied on this, and why they let it go through. And why Public Works thought that this letter – which has many of the hallmarks of a teenage boy’s fanfiction posts on a second-rate website – was at all acceptable is scandalous.

Also on the F-35 file, it looks like Industry Canada has downgraded their expected industrial spinoffs from our participation in the programme, which has the NDP in a lather. Because who needs to worry about due diligence when you’re worried about regional industrial benefits?

Elections Canada is closing in on the identity of “Pierre Poutine,” and has traced his activities to a computer used by the Guelph Conservative campaign, the IP address of which also matches that one campaign worker used for legitimate calls to RackNine.

The Canadian Forces will be reorganising their command structure as part of cost saving measures. They’re also pulling back on the potential cuts to mental health services after pushback. Meanwhile, the process for modernising our fleet of frigates is running into problems and could wind up with delays and operational gaps. The Forces are also testing more unmanned drones in Canada, which could have some unforeseen legal consequences.

Five former Prime Ministers gathered in Toronto on Thursday night to be honoured for their public service.

Paul Wells talks to Justin Trudeau about the Liberal leadership, and lays out the case as to why Trudeau should run. Trudeau says it’s not going to happen. At least not anytime soon.

Here is a look at the sizes of budget implementation bills past.

The final circulation penny has been minted, and will now be off to the Royal Canadian Mint’s currency museum.

And Tabatha Southey imagines a conversation with an NDP volunteer from the future.