The defence procurement strategy had a number of initiatives. This one is about getting the requirements stated in a way in which everybody can have confidence and stated clearly at the front end of the process to start these major military procurements.
The strategy set out that all projects with a value of over $100 million would be challenged and certain projects with a value of less than $100 million would be as well.
The strategy also made it clear that there would be an independent review panel set up to be the centrepiece of this challenge function with independent third parties involved, which means people from outside the government.
Beyond those parameters, it was left up to the Minister of National Defence to come up with a formula on how to implement this in a way that would make sense. I was asked to come in and develop the implementation strategy.
I would like to lay out three things that have been important to me along the way.
First and foremost, this has to be set up in a way that directly supports the first objective of that defence procurement strategy, which is to get the right equipment in the hands of the men and women of the Canadian Forces in a timely manner. We all know it takes a very long time to do these major procurements and that they aren't always timely.
Second, at the front end of the process you need clarity and certainty around how requirements are framed. It's critically important that this new function be set up in a way that helps ensure that there's as much clarity and certainty around these requirements as possible.
Third, to state the obvious, these military procurements are complex undertakings that involve large sums of money and there has to be confidence and trust in how the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence define these requirements. That's essential, so this function has to be set up in a way that is not only effective in substantively challenging these requirements, but is also done in a way that promotes confidence and trust.
Those are the three overarching things I've been doing over the last couple of months to develop this implementation strategy. I'm not there yet in having it fully developed, but I'm working very hard at it. As I said in my opening remarks, I am determined to achieve full implementation early in 2015.