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  July 25, 2023 | Local, Aerospace

  Canada orders more Airbus A330 tankers, hires firm to convert planes

  Canada’s contract with Airbus, which covers delivery of the four new A330s and conversion of the five used aircraft, is worth about $2.7 billion.

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  March 5, 2019 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

  Feds to invest billions less in new military equipment, may fall short on NATO spending target

  By Lee Berthiaume The Canadian Press The federal government will invest billions of dollars less in new military equipment than promised this year, raising concerns about the readiness of the Canadian Forces and the prospect that Canada will fall short on another NATO spending target. The Trudeau government in 2017 released a defence policy that included dramatic increases in the amount of money to be spent on new aircraft, ships, armoured vehicles and other military equipment each year for the next two decades. The investments are considered vital to replacing the Canadian Forces' aging fighter jets, ships and other equipment with state-of-the-art kit. Yet while the government is on track to invest more in new equipment for the second year in a row, budget documents show the Defence Department will still fall short more than $2 billion on the government's plan to spend $6.5 billion. The government spent $2.3 billion less than planned last year, largely because of delays in projects such as the government's huge plan to buy new warships, though also because some things ended up costing less than expected. The department's top civil servant, deputy minister Jody Thomas, told a House of Commons committee last week that about $700 million was because some projects came in under budget and other “efficiencies, so we didn't need that money.” But Thomas acknowledged the department was to blame for some of the other underspending and industry has also faced challenges in delivering on projects – though she said it shouldn't be a surprise there have been some problems given the number of projects underway. “There are going to be some slowdowns by us,” she said, adding: “If money isn't moving quite quickly enough because of a problem with a particular supply chain, a particular supplier, a contract, the way we've defined a project, we work with industry to try to resolve that.” While the fact the department saved money on some projects was seen as a positive development, Conservative defence critic James Bezan said he is nonetheless concerned that hundreds of millions of dollars in promised new investments aren't being realized. “Despite the explanation that was given by officials at committee, we still feel projects are falling behind, promises are going to be broken and ultimately the Canadian Armed Forces will not get the equipment that it needs in a timely manner,” Bezan told The Canadian Press. “The whole idea that they're finding efficiencies is good news. But at the same time, those dollars should be getting re-invested in other capital projects that aren't off the books yet.” Thomas did not say which projects will be affected by the underspending. And the underspending doesn't just mean delivery of some promised equipment will be delayed, said defence analyst David Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute; it also threatens Canada's ability to meet a key NATO spending target. All members of the military alliance agreed in 2014 to spend two per cent of their gross domestic products on the military within a decade – a commitment that has since taken on new importance with U.S. President Donald Trump's demanding all NATO allies spend more. While Canada has long resisted that target and the Liberal defence policy shows spending only reaching 1.4 per cent of GDP by 2024-25, the Liberal government has said it will achieve another NATO target to direct 20 per cent of defence spending to new equipment. “So the military is not getting re-equipped as fast as intended when the defence policy was published,” Perry said in an interview. “And we had basically reassured NATO that we were going to really do a good job at spending on recapitalization, and we're not nearly as far ahead as we should be on that.” https://globalnews.ca/news/5018310/federal-government-military-spending-nato/

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  August 7, 2024 | Local, Other Defence

  Minister Blair announces contract award for new 480-room military accommodations facility at CFB Esquimalt and highlights plan to build more homes on military bases

  News release August 7, 2024 – Esquimalt, British Columbia – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced that a new, 480-room accommodations facility for Canadian Armed Forces members will be built at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt – and that a contract has been awarded to begin design work. The new 31,700 m2 facility for Junior Non-Commission Members will provide incoming Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) personnel with modern and functional infrastructure at CFB Esquimalt as they train and prepare for tomorrow’s security challenges. The new facility will consolidate several functions across the Base into one new, central, and modern high-rise. It will include approximately 480 single occupancy rooms, administrative areas, a dining area and galley capable of serving 700 people, a mess that can support 400 people, postal services, coffee shops, and more. The total design and construction contract cost is estimated at $165 million – and the design portion of the design-build contract has now been awarded to Ellis Don Corporation for $10.1 million. Estimated costs are subject to change as design progresses. We expect this project to create or sustain almost 900 jobs during construction. Aligned with the RCN’s Future Naval Training Strategy, these new, consolidated modern accommodations will support the RCN’s intent to have a bi-coastal training model that better meets the needs of our personnel in Esquimalt, helping to limit travel and time away from their families. As indicated in our renewed vision for defence, Our North, Strong and Free, the Government of Canada is committed to improving quality of life for Canadian Armed Forces members and providing them with the tools they need to meet today’s and future challenges. This is why Our North, Strong and Free invests $10.2 billion over 20 years in current and new infrastructure – and additional funding to establish a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) housing strategy, build new housing, and rehabilitate existing housing so CAF members have safe and affordable places to call home where they and their families are posted. In Esquimalt, Minister Blair reiterated that Budget 2024 makes additional investments for the Department of National Defence to build and renovate housing for CAF personnel on bases across Canada. This will support the construction of up to 1,400 new homes and the renovation of an additional 2,500 existing units for CAF members on base in communities such as Esquimalt, Edmonton, Borden, Trenton, Kingston, Petawawa, Ottawa, Valcartier, and Gagetown. Building more on-base housing will not only help meet the housing needs of military personnel but also help address housing demand in surrounding communities, since fewer military personnel will require rentals in these areas. Minister Blair also highlighted the federal government’s national effort to unlock more public lands for housing. National Defence owns 622 properties across Canada – including in Victoria, totalling 2.2 million hectares. Many of these National Defence properties in cities and communities across Canada are not fully utilized and could be unlocked to build more homes for Canadian Armed Forces members, and civilians, to live in. Minister Blair noted that the Government is reviewing the entire federal lands portfolio to identify more lands for housing. As announced in Budget 2024, the government is exploring the redevelopment of parts of National Defence properties – including CFB Esquimalt – which could be used for both military and civilian uses – including building more homes. We expect this review to identify additional lands that are promising for housing across Canada. As the results of this review come through, we will work with the housing sector to build homes wherever possible. Quotes “Canadian Armed Forces members stand ready to defend Canada every day. Wherever they are posted, service members should not have to worry about finding a suitable home. This new housing facility at CFB Esquimalt will provide state-of-the-art accommodations for 480 Armed Forces members – giving them a modern place to live while training. In British Columbia and right across Canada, we are making transformative investments to improve military housing and support our people.  The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence Quick facts Funding for the construction and design of this project comes from Canada’s 2017 defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion projected for the early 2030s. This project will also include the demolition of the current CFB Esquimalt accommodation facility, Nelles Block. We expect demolition will take place once the new facility is constructed in early 2030s. This new Junior NCM Training Facility will also meet the objectives of the Federal Sustainable Development strategy, the Greening Government Strategy, and will seek two Green Globes Certification. This facility will be designed to be Net Zero compliant and resilient to climate change, featuring energy efficient HVAC and lighting, parking spaces for green vehicles, rainwater capture technology, LED lighting, and more. To date, National Defence has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and non-military vehicles by 35.9% across Canada, compared with 2005 levels. As part of their tender application, the Design-Builder is required to propose an Indigenous Benefit Plan that provides a commitment for Indigenous Business subcontracting with a target of 5% of the contract amount. Meeting this target is contingent on market conditions and industry capacity. This procurement strategy will continue our commitment to create more opportunities for Indigenous businesses to succeed and grow. CFB Esquimalt is one of Canada’s two Navy bases – and our government is committed to modernizing housing facilities at both of them. An accommodations facility was already constructed at CFB Halifax and completed in 2017. A twelve-story tower, approximately 19,000 m2 total with 300 rooms and a dining/mess hall, were constructed to support personnel at CFB Halifax in 2017. This project cost was approximately $155 million. As indicated in Budget 2024, the Government of Canada is leading a national effort to unlock more homes on public lands. National Defence owns 622 properties across every province and territory, totalling 2.2 million hectares, in addition to providing housing to many members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Many of these National Defence properties in cities and communities across Canada are not fully utilized and could be unlocked to build more homes for Canadian Armed Forces members, and civilians, to live in. As part of its work to build homes on public lands, Budget 2024 announced that the government is exploring the redevelopment of National Defence properties in Halifax, Toronto, and Victoria that could be suitable for both military and civilian uses. Budget 2024 also announced that the Department of National Defence is working with Canada Lands Company and other partners to divest 14 surplus properties that have potential for housing, and are not needed for National Defence operations. These properties include: The Amherst Armoury in Amherst, Nova Scotia;  96 D'Auteuil and 87 St-Louis in Quebec City, Quebec;  The National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa, Ontario;  The HMCS Hunter Armoury in Windsor, Ontario; and,  The Brigadier Murphy Armoury in Vernon, British Columbia. Budget 2024 also makes additional investments for the Department of National Defence to build and renovate housing for CAF personnel on bases across Canada. This will support the construction of up to 1,400 new homes and the renovation of an additional 2,500 existing units for CAF members on base in communities such as Esquimalt, Edmonton, Borden, Trenton, Kingston, Petawawa, Ottawa, Valcartier, and Gagetown. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2024/08/minister-blair-announces-contract-award-for-new-480-room-military-accommodations-facility-at-cfb-esquimalt-and-highlights-plan-to-build-more-homes-.html