Question Period Note: Defence Procurement Review

To support the Government’s commitments outlined in Our North, Strong and Free, a review of Canada’s Defence Procurement System was launched.

Notes:

• Questions on specific defence projects and capabilities should be directed to the Minister of National Defence
• Questions related to economic benefits, the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy and Canada’s defence industry should be directed to the Minister Innovation, Science and Industry

• In spring 2024, the Government committed to an ambitious defence policy that responds to the rapidly changing international environment and takes measures to protect our Arctic sovereignty
• We are committed to ensuring that the Canadian Armed Forces have the people, equipment, training and infrastructure needed to detect, deter and defeat threats to Canada’s sovereignty
• That is why I launched a review of our defence procurement system – so that we can be nimble and responsive while remaining open, fair and transparent

If pressed on the elements of the review:

• The review will propose a range of initiatives that could include measures to clarify procurement rules, streamline processes and develop innovative approaches to defence procurement
• The changes being contemplated are aimed at compressing procurement timelines, thereby reducing the operational and financial risks caused by procurement delays
• The review will bring forward recommendations on how Canada can move away from transactional approaches to procurement and build sustained strategic partnerships with industry

If pressed on when the government will announce the results of the Defence Procurement Review:

• My officials are actively engaging government stakeholders, domestic suppliers and key allies and partners
• As part of the Defence Procurement Review, the government is developing new procurement approach - “strategic partnerships” with established Canadian suppliers that have a proven track record of delivering world class goods and services to our military.
• The Government has identified L3 Harris MAS in Mirabel to work with Canada, the J-35 Joint Program office and Lockheed Martin to investigate Canada’s requirements for an airframe depot to support maintenance, repair and overhaul for Canada’s new fighter fleet.
• These partnerships are good for the Canadian Armed Forces, good for Canadian defence industries and good for our allies.

In Our North, Strong and Free the Government committed to a number of procurement initiatives, including:

• A review of the rules that govern military procurement
• Compression of major acquisition timelines
• Collaborative development of new capabilities with our allies and partners; and
• Changing the Government’s approach to working with industry to one of sustained strategic partnerships founded on transparency and trust

In April 2024, the Government released its Defence Policy Update, Our North Strong and Free which, among other things, laid out its forward plan regarding defence procurement and included a commitment of $8.1 billion over 5 years for the Canadian Armed Forces