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The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) applauded the Feb. 12 release of a report by an expert panel led by Tom Jenkins on defence procurement in Canada. “This timely and coherent report truly strikes a chord with the defence and security industry in Canada,” said Tim Page, president of CADSI. “The recommendations from Mr. Jenkins and his expert panel can and should serve as the groundwork for the government as it moves forward on its commitment to create a defence procurement strategy that maximizes jobs, innovation, manufacturing and economic activity in Canada from defence spending.”
CADSI said it believes the recommendations in Jenkins’ report are implementable, and solidly based on a very good understanding of Canada’s current procurement environment. “The panel calls for urgent action by the government, and CADSI echoes this call,” said Page. “The upcoming Spring Budget will be a critical opportunity to learn how the government intends to address the advice it has now received.”
CADSI said it was encouraged that recommendations in the report mirrored some of those the Association has been advocating with respect to defence procurement. “Mr. Jenkins’ focus on key industrial capabilities (KICs) that are important to Canada’s economy and security interests is common sense, and aligns with approaches used around the world. The Panel makes a critical recommendation for KICs to be nurtured and supported through Canadian R&D and export strategies in general, and leveraged more specifically at the earliest phases of both the acquisition and in-service support cycles of defence procurement.”
CADSI pointed out consistencies between the advice of the Jenkins Panel and that offered to the government in November by a panel chaired by David Emerson relative to Canada’s aerospace and space sectors. “Many of Mr. Emerson’s aerospace recommendations are equally applicable to Canada’s defence and security sector,” said Page. “Both the Emerson and Jenkins Reports are strongly aligned with the advice first offered to the Government by CADSI in 2009 on improvements to Canada’s defence procurement system.”
CADSI’s recommendations on reforming defence procurement have been focused on advancing Canada’s economic and national security interests for a generation to come. “An effective defence procurement strategy will ensure Canada’s men and women in uniform get the equipment they need to perform the duties asked of them by the government; and ensure the 109,000 employees in Canada’s defence and security sector work in high-quality, innovative jobs,” said Page. “Mr. Jenkins’ recommendations will help chart a path for the government to ensure when it spends a dollar to re-equip the Canadian Forces, it has one eye on the equipment needed and one eye on the jobs, innovation and economic activity that can be developed in Canada.”
Page concluded, “CADSI thanks Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose for her leadership and commitment in working actively, with her Cabinet colleagues, to improve the outcome of defence procurements to Canada’s advantage.”
