 From 1953 , some senior Canadian military officials at the chiefs of staffs began to question the program . The chiefs of staff of the army and navy were both strongly opposed to the Arrow , since " substantial funds were being diverted to the air force " , while Air Marshal Hugh Campbell , RCAF Chief of Staff , backed it right up until its cancellation . In June 1957 , when the governing Liberals lost the federal election and a Progressive Conservative government under John Diefenbaker took power , the aircraft 's prospects began to noticeably change . Diefenbaker had campaigned on a platform of reining in what the Conservatives claimed was " rampant Liberal spending " . Nonetheless , by 1958 , the parent company had become Canada 's third largest business enterprise and had primary interests in rolling stock , steel and coal , electronics and aviation with 39 different companies under the A. V. Roe Canada banner . 
