Evidence of meeting #21 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was procurement.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
That's perfect. Thank you. I'm just trying to get some answers on that.
The defence industry advisory group, does it advise on economic impact in Canada on defence procurement?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
In part they do. This was formed, actually, when I got into the job.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
They advise on a few things. They will tell us about the Canadian industrial base and we're very careful—
Conservative
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
May I finish with the answer, please?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I haven't actually.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Have they given any feedback as to any industrial impact on Canada, good or bad, for either one of the two planes?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
I think your original question was why it was formed.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
No, I didn't ask why they were formed. I asked if they supply you information on the industrial impact on the economy at all.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Acquisitions Branch, Department of Public Works and Government Services
We talk to the defence ministry advisory group about defence procurement writ large. We don't get into specific projects for a very good reason, which is that many of the companies that are there are bidders. We speak to them about defence procurement, its processes, industry engagement, intellectual property, and some of the recurring issues.
Conservative
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
I have one last quick question on that. Have you provided the Minister of National Defence or the science and technology minister information about the economic impacts of switching from the F-35 if we go with the Super Hornet? Have you looked at the job impact or the industrial impact of that for Canada?
RAdm Patrick Finn
Again, we have not. Until such time as we would engage with industry to get that information, it's not information that we have.
Conservative
Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
In the time remaining, I would like to go back to shipbuilding.
Something has struck me this afternoon: there are inconsistencies in the timelines for the production of the new vessels and for retrofit. Something seems to be off. Why are we retrofitting ships if we are expecting new ones to be delivered?
Mr. Finn, I would like you to provide us with an update on the $90 million awarded on a non-competitive basis to a certification agency that is not Canadian. That is under your responsibility. We will not have time in the minute remaining, but if you could indicate to the committee members what progress you have made so far.
Essentially, we want more ships and less bureaucracy. We need to increase shipyard capacity. Given the laundry list of shipyards and the delays reported, it is quite obvious that our ships rust out more quickly than they can be replaced. We hope the government will make informed decisions to ensure that the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard can protect the sovereignty of our waters.
Thank you.
RAdm Patrick Finn
Would you like us to provide written information on the contract you mentioned, Mr. Blaney?
Conservative
Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
I would like that update. It is a $90-million contract that was awarded on a non-competitive basis to a company that is not Canadian. It is a certification agency. Is that your responsibility?
Conservative
Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
Okay, I would like that update. What amount has been committed thus far? What concrete results have been achieved? How will it make it possible for us to get vessels more quickly? Are there accountability mechanisms to ensure that the shipyards deliver the boats on time and on budget?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Mr. Blaney, since you're out of time, I'll ask Mr. Finn to perhaps give a written response to that question.