...but it isn't a job creation scheme ORAC. It's a Fighter creation scheme. Those who secured the lucrative industrial contracts to manufacture and supply bring money to the country. Ergo, the Fighter creation scheme is (for some countries at least) a money creation scheme to one's treasury.
If Canada "wants in" on that great sounding deal, they have to maintain their desire to procure their 60-odd F-35. If Canada doesn't care about that deal and wants to commit itself to a sticking plaster solution for its future combat aircraft requirement, then that's their (Liberal PM's) choice....buuuut, the extant Canadian contracts will be re-competed amongst the committed partner nations if it turns its back completely. Being Liberal, there's a certain centricity to this issue. Canada may not turn completely, but may instead keep feeding the JPO the holding response that it's still considering a buy. There was a time only a year or so ago where every partner could have hidden behind the language of non-committal but, now that jets are being built and flown by many of those same partners, that tactic no longer works.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.