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May 14, 2019 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

Questions abound over ‘ugly’ defence procurement system following Mark Norman case

By NEIL MOSS

Canada would be 'better served' if defence projects are overseen by a non-partisan body, says a retired Armed Forces colonel, who oversaw procurement and equipment management policy.

https://www.hilltimes.com/2019/05/13/questions-abound-over-ugly-defence-procurement-system-following-mark-norman-case/199729

On the same subject

  • Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Release Elsie Initiative Barrier Assessment Identifying Barriers for Women in UN Peace Operations

    August 31, 2022 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

    Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Release Elsie Initiative Barrier Assessment Identifying Barriers for Women in UN Peace Operations

    August 31, 2022 - Ottawa, Ontario - Department of National Defence Today, the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) released the Elsie Initiative Barrier Assessment report identifying barriers and opportunities for improving women's participation in United Nations (UN) peace operations. The Government of Canada launched the Elsie Initiative - a multilateral pilot project that develops and tests approaches to help countries overcome barriers to the meaningful participation of uniformed women in UN peace operations – in 2017, and has since played a leading role in its development. In December 2021, Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, announced the initiative's extension. In 2019 Canada announced that the CAF would undergo the Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) barrier assessment methodology in order to better understand the challenges facing women in the CAF in deploying to UN peace operations, and how the CAF can increase opportunities for Canadian women in such deployments. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/08/department-of-national-defence-and-canadian-armed-forces-release-elsie-initiative-barrier-assessment-identifying-barriers-for-women-in-un-peace-ope.html

  • Canada ‘not on course’ to hit 2% defence spending pledge: U.S. official

    February 17, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Canada ‘not on course’ to hit 2% defence spending pledge: U.S. official

    BY AMANDA CONNOLLY AND KERRI BREEN The top U.S. official in Ottawa says in his country's view, Canada is not likely to hit the defence spending targets it has promised. Richard Mills, the U.S. Embassy's chargé d'affaires, said while there have been positive spending steps by the Canadian government, the view south of the border is that Canada will fall short in hitting its promised investment of two per cent of GDP on defence. “We were very pleased with some of the defence spending that's occurred under this government, including some effort to buy new frigates, some new airplanes,” he said in an interview with The West Block's Mercedes Stephenson. “But to be quite honest with you, Mercedes, the Canadian government is not on course to meet two per cent by 2024. In fact, they probably will reach a peak — in our estimate, around 1.4 per cent — in 2024 and then decline rapidly.” Canada, along with other NATO members, agreed in 2014 to increase spending on defence to the tune of two per cent of GDP by 2024. But according to NATO estimates from November, just nine of out of 29 member nations have met the goal. U.S. President Donald Trump has aggressively pushed allies to meet those promises since his election in 2016. And in November, Global News learned that the U.S. took the unusual step of sending a diplomatic letter criticizing Canadian military spending. Canada's prime minister and defence minister, however, have pointed out that a plan has been established to dramatically increase defence investment. In 2017, Ottawa announced it would boost the annual defence budget to almost $33 billion within a decade, an increase of 70 per cent. “The relationship with Canada and the U.S., the defence relationship, I think, is even stronger now, because they see a tangible plan that we have created,” Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said on an episode of The West Block that aired on Nov. 24. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also insisted that there are other ways to measure the value of a country's military contributions and frequently cites the steep costs Canadian soldiers and peacekeepers have paid on allied missions around the world. Canada currently sits at 1.31 per cent in terms of how much of its GDP goes towards defence spending. That's up from about 1 per cent in 2014. Mills said the U.S. views hitting the two per cent target — or at least getting close — as crucial in order for Canada to be taken seriously. “This is important because our common security requires common burden sharing and we want to see our Canadian friends and Canada have a voice in international relations, have a strong voice because we share the same outlook,” he said. “But to be listened to, there has to be something behind you and that requires investment in the military.” Mills is currently the highest-ranking official at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa. Kelly Craft, the previous ambassador to Canada, was tapped to represent the U.S. at the United Nations last year. On Tuesday, the White House said Trump would nominate Dr. Aldona Wos to serve as the new ambassador. https://globalnews.ca/news/6556192/canada-2-defence-spending-pledge/

  • Criteria for “Boeing clause” in fighter jet competition to be outlined in the new year

    December 31, 2018 | Local, Aerospace

    Criteria for “Boeing clause” in fighter jet competition to be outlined in the new year

    DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN In October, the Canadian government sent out its draft request for proposals to aerospace firms expected to bid on replacing the CF-18 fighter jets. The aircraft that are being considered in this competition are Lockheed Martin's F-35, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab's Gripen and the Boeing Super Hornet. The aerospace companies will provide feedback on the draft request for proposals and after that is received the final RFP will be issued and bids required by May 2019. Industry is expected to provide feedback on a number of issues, including the so-called “Boeing clause.” The Canadian government has introduced the change to the standard procurement process with a new provision that defence analysts say was aimed directly at Boeing. The move came after the U.S. firm complained to the Trump administration that its Quebec-based competitor Bombardier was receiving unfair Canadian government subsidies on the production of its C-Series civilian passenger aircraft. The U.S. ruled in favour of Boeing, resulting in Bombardier facing duties of almost 300 per cent on sales of its C-Series planes in America. The Liberal government retaliated against Boeing's complaint by cancelling plans to buy 18 of the company's Super Hornet fighter jets at a cost of around $6 billion. In addition, as part of the competition for the new fighter jets, Canada announced it would assess a company's “economic behavior” in the years leading up to the competition. Navdeep Bains, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, said if a firm has caused economic harm to Canada that would be at a distinct disadvantage in the fighter jet competition. But the Canadian government hasn't yet outlined its criteria for the controversial clause. Jeff Waring, director general for industrial benefits policy at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada recently told Esprit de Corps military magazine that the federal government is “still finalizing the assessment tool” for that clause and will continue to discuss the issue with industry. The details for the clause will be outlined before the final request for proposals is issued, he added. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/criteria-for-boeing-clause-in-fighter-jet-competition-to-be-outlined-in-the-new-year

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