Companies involved in the F-35 program are actively lobbying the governments of Canada and Quebec to promote potential economic benefits for the country, including maintenance facilities north of Montreal — but such benefits are only promised to materialize if the government makes good on its full order.

The facilities could service both Canadian and American fighter fleets, if public funds pay for security upgrades and the Americans sign off on the plan.

Several sources within the Canadian defence industry, including a Canadian representative for L3Harris, said it's becoming increasingly likely that the Americans will use the company's site in Mirabel, Que., to maintain a portion of their fleet.

"They see this as a win-win for the defence of North America, with Canada stepping up its g

See Full Page