Canada announced in 2010 it would buy Lockheed-Martin Corp's (>> Lockheed Martin Corporation) F-35, but later reversed course, amid soaring cost estimates.
Ottawa has set aside C$9 billion ($8.9 billion) to buy the jets.
The public works ministry, confirming earlier leaks from senior government officials, said in a statement on Friday that Ottawa would talk to Lockheed Martin and four other firms:
* Boeing Co (>> The Boeing Company), which makes the F-18 Super Hornet
* EADS (>> EADS), which makes the Eurofighter
* Saab AB
* Dassault Aviation (>> DASSAULT AVIATION), which makes the Rafale
(Reporting by David Ljunggren)