Wow. So this thread got painful to read, what with Ex somehow managing to impale his snatch on a sandblaster gun.
That said, Canada has legitimate concerns over single engine aircraft given their particular situation. Finland is in the same boat, as they are also currently looking to upgrade from their old F/A-18's to something a bit less archaic...especially with a a new level of belligerence from Russia. Finland is being pretty deliberate about their upgrade process. But honestly, in both cases, sticking to the familiar platform...or at least just going with the Super Hornet, would be a fine move. Aussies have been happy with theirs.
And let's face it. The Canadians have nothing to fear, really. They could still be flying their old F-104's. Wouldn't matter. (And, in all likelihood, there was someone like Ex calling the F/A-18 a piece of shit back then, too.) The US would no more tolerate aggression against Canada than we would Alaska.
Besides, Canadians are apparently already getting their asses kicked by the avian wildlife, to hear Ex tell it. When those are the stakes, all we can really offer our beleaguered northern allies is solidarity and a reaffirmed commitment to mutual defense should the geese finally confederate and turn their envious gaze against us both.