If the RCAF bought the Typhoon, it would also buy everything needed to support it which would include a significant building programme on bases to build specific facilities, and in the NORAD context would be operating within the 'National Support Base' where everything from deeper maintenance to fuel supply will be close at hand. Another thing that isn't talked about with the F35 is that the global support pool will be controlled by the US, where the best priority a foreign country can get will be 3 of 16, so if the RCAF bought the Typhoon it would (by necessity, and at greater expense) have greater control over its supply chain which will lead to greater robustness in time of serious conflict where supply chains are degraded.
The thing(s) you are overlooking here are twofold:
A- We have a rather strong indigenous aerospace industry here with proven capabilities. We can deal with some of the air frame and hardware issues that may arise entirely on our own. We already have a diverse group of sub-contractors (component manufacture) that are integral to the F-35 program.
B- We have a "preferred customer" status with our Big Brother to the south. The fact that it's in their best interests to have our participation in the North American Air Defense supported is somewhat of a no-brainer. Whether our needs would be prioritized in the case of a "surge" situation would obviously be predicated on the threat assessment.
IIRC Dassault has actually even offered a full technology transfer, though I'm not sure Canada still has the capabilities to make full use of that (maybe the part of Bombardier that was once Canadair still exists?).
Yes, you are correct. Dassault did make this offer.
Personally I think we would be crazy to undertake such a deal.
The amount of money that would have to be dumped into setting up a production line in Cartierville (to build 88 aircraft), would be retarded.
The unit cost on an indigeniously produced Rafale would be eye-watering. Yes, we would keep more of the monies spent in the country through taxation but the question is? Who pays for the re-tooling at Bombardier/Cartierville?
I'll tell you who. ME. John Q Taxpayer.
And after we dump billions into building this fleet, what kind of support do we get from across the pond?
Therin lies the question.