US Air Force wish list asks for spare parts, but no more fighters

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  January 23, 2019 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Innovative Quebec start-ups are invited to participate in the CED Fast Forward Challenge

  The Government of Canada will award up to $500,000 to innovative Quebec start-ups January 23, 2019 – Montréal, Quebec – Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) The audacity and ingenuity of young innovative entrepreneurs is key in propelling Quebec into the economy of tomorrow. It is for this reason that the Government of Canada is launching a new initiative today aimed at helping these young entrepreneurs realize their business projects: the CED Fast Forward Challenge. The Challenge will allow dynamic young entrepreneurs to seize opportunities presented by ever-changing economic and technological conditions. The Challenge is being launched today by the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Gr'ce—Westmount, who is extending an invitation to young people across Quebec who have entrepreneurial flair and who work in the high-tech sector to submit their business plans to Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) between February 8 and April 1, 2019. In May 2019, 20 finalists will be invited to present the most promising projects to a panel of experts. The 10 businesses with the best projects will each receive a $50,000 award to carry out their business projects. Details regarding the Challenge can be found at canada.ca/ced-fast-forward-challenge. Quotes “Talent, particularly entrepreneurial talent, is a great resource. We aim to foster the emergence of new businesses by investing directly in the development of Quebecers' talent and skills. Through this initiative, our government will help young people from across Quebec launch their businesses and make their projects a reality.” The Honourable Marc Garneau, Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Gr'ce—Westmount and Minister of Transport “Initiatives such as the CED Fast Forward Challenge give innovative businesses the boost they need to carry out their projects. Through its Federal Strategy on Innovation and Growth for the Quebec Regions, the Government of Canada has adopted an ambitious approach aimed at stimulating innovation and growth for everyone. It represents a firm commitment to contribute to the development of a culture of innovation and, ultimately, the creation of more quality jobs for Quebecers.” The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED Quick facts Today's announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio, which is made up of 17 federal departments and agencies, including CED and the other five regional development agencies. The CED Fast Forward Challenge is an initiative that stems from the Federal Strategy on Innovation and Growth for the Quebec Regions. Spearheaded by CED, and involving the participation of other federal departments, the Strategy targets 4 priorities and 14 areas of intervention aimed at fostering the adoption and development of innovative practices and ensuring the inclusive growth of all the Quebec regions. The funding was provided under CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program. For more information about CED and its priorities, refer to the 2018–2019 Departmental Plan or visit www.ced-dec.gc.ca. For 50 years now, the Government of Canada has been actively involved in regional economic development in Quebec: half a century of concrete action targeting the growth of Quebec's regions and businesses. https://www.canada.ca/en/economic-development-quebec-regions/news/2019/01/innovative-quebec-start-ups-are-invited-to-participate-in-the-ced-fast-forward-challenge.html

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  August 2, 2018 | Local, Aerospace

  Federal auditor general to dive into contentious fighter-jet 'capability gap'

  Study will also look at how Canada will meet its 'obligations as it transitions to a new fighter fleet' Lee Berthiaume Canada's auditor general has started to dig into one of the Trudeau government's most contentious claims, upon which rests the fate of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars: that the country is facing an urgent shortage of fighter jets. The claim was first made in November 2016 when the Liberals announced that Canada didn't have enough fighter jets to defend North America and simultaneously meet the country's NATO commitments, and that a stopgap was urgently needed until the entire CF-18 fleet could be replaced. The government originally planned to buy 18 interim Super Hornets from Boeing for $6.4 billion before the deal was scuttled late last year in favour of buying 25 used jets from Australia for $500 million. But critics, including opposition parties and former air force commanders, accuse the government of fabricating an urgent "capability gap" — as the shortfall is known — by changing the military's requirements to avoid having to buy the F-35 stealth fighter. Auditor general Michael Ferguson is now scrutinizing this "capability gap" as part of an overall fighter-jet review, according to an internal memo written by officials at the federal procurement department and obtained by The Canadian Press through access to information legislation. The memo to Public Services and Procurement Canada deputy minister Marie Lemay references a meeting with Ferguson's staff in December in which they laid out the objectives of their audit. Full article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/auditor-general-fighter-jets-1.4763444

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  January 5, 2021 | Local, Land

  Canadian military to receive new pistols: Bids to be requested in February

  David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen The new handguns will replace the Second World War-era Browning Hi-Power pistols. The Second World War-era pistols used by the Canadian military will soon be replaced as the federal government plans to request bids for a new handgun in February. A contract is expected to be awarded by September with initial deliveries beginning in the summer of 2022, Department of National Defence spokesperson Jessica Lamirande said. The new handguns will replace the Second World War-era Browning Hi-Power pistols. The military was originally going to make an initial purchase of 9,000 pistols for the Canadian Army. But that number has increased to 16,500 as handguns will also be bought for the Royal Canadian Air Force and military police, Lamirande noted. The firearms will be modular, meaning they can be reconfigured for various roles. Attachments such as improved targeting systems can also be installed on the guns. “The procurement will also include options to support future requirements of additional modular pistols, but the precise number has not yet been confirmed as it will depend on requirements,” Lamirande explained. “The total procurement is expected to be up to 20,000 modular pistols.” https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-military-to-receive-new-pistols-bids-to-be-requested-in-february