On October 2, the Government of Canada launched its new Defense Investment Agency (DIA), to be led by Secretary of State (Defense Procurement) Stephen Fuhr.
Public procurement is the single most powerful tool the government has for managing and growing Canada’s Defence Industrial Base. Naming defense as a top three economic priority, the Prime Minister has set out clear direction for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to supporting Canada’s defense sector – including significant procurement reform.
Industry will need more time and information to determine if and how this new agency is positioned to help deliver on those marching orders. We will want to see clear objectives, authorities, and instruments for the DIA (enshrined in Orders in Council, mandate letters or other documents) to help Canadian companies understand how they will pursue and deliver on procurements under the new agency.
The agency will also need a solid understanding of what Canada’s defense industry currently offers, and its work must be aligned with the unprecedented increase in defense spending, the recently announced ‘Buy Canadian’ policy, the upcoming defense industrial strategy, and defense export plans and supports.
Critically, to make all of this possible, industry must be at the table. This is important not only to align public and private actors and investments with a common set of goals, but to build trust after too long spent operating in siloes.
The PM’s vision is the right one, and CADSI’s members are ready to help implement it.
