The Canadian Auditor General's report, including F-35 acquisition costs, is due April 3rd. It is likely to slag off the DND again, as it did the last 2 times, over F-35 estimates/costing.
The Associate Defence Minister has today stated that "All options are on the table" and the Government is committed to a $9bn budget for the CF-18 replacement.
Watch closely for the March 29th Canadian Federal Budget, which is due to lay the groundwork for several years ahead. I think the Conservative Government is more wedded to deficit reduction than it is to the F-35.
My personal guess is that they will delay the decision for 2/3 years, one year at a time, claiming production schedule slippage. Then they'll delay it for one more year for the next election.
Then, if Canada's flush and they win, they'll buy it whatever the price, or it will be Super Hornet.
Mind you, there may be quite a revision on the role depending on World events in the next 5 years! (Arctic/Middle East/China/New US President by then)