DND official told to stop using custom F-35 business card

A Department of National Defence official has been told to stop using a custom business card after handing it out at the CANSEC military trade show in Ottawa. The card belonged to Cristalynn Ferguson, the director general of the fighter aircraft capability program. It featured F35 and CF18 imagery, which differs from the standard federal business card format that normally uses only a Canadian flag. DND said the card was not produced through the department’s standard process and that Ferguson would be asked to stop using it. The issue comes during a politically sensitive review of Canada’s fighter jet procurement, including the planned purchase of F35s and possible consideration of a mixed fleet with Saab Gripens. Analysts said the card could create an appearance of bias, while others argued it simply reflected Ferguson’s role in implementing the government’s fighter aircraft plans. DND said the card was not meant to signal a position on the ongoing review.