@Bill G
Well, actually, the F-35 is so damn noisy that we might be able to detect it from sound alone !  :-)
Historically, Canadian forces have never been used as a first strike tool in any environment.  Yes, the Canadian Army liberated the Low Countries, but these were not strategic target #1 in WW2. Juno beach was part of a combined assault with the US & UK  So it isn't clear to me that we need a first strike anything.  Future disagreements that we may be involved in are likely to be as a partner, and likely a junior one.
The Gripen is an interesting machine,but it would have the expensive requirement of being cleared for the NATO munitions currently in inventory.  Not so the F-18E/F.