Government Operations Committee on March 4th, 2022

[Paul Thompson]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for this question.

This is an important area of work for the department. We've made the most progress so far in the space of indigenous procurement. We're trying to model some of that in working with broader diversity objectives within the supply chain. We have a supplier diversity policy that came into force a year ago, which gives us more latitude in how we run procurement processes. Now, we're turning that into an actual program of work as to how we use those flexibilities to increase the diversity in the supply chains. There is a lot of outreach that is being done with different groups to try to make it easier. I mentioned the e-procurement solution, which is part of this, to demystify and simplify, if you will, the procurement relationship.

We are working and will continue to work more intensively with colleagues in departments such as Innovation, Science and Economic Development and the regional economic development agencies, which have a mandate for economic development for under-represented and equity-seeking organizations. Their investments in business development, combined with our openness on the procurement side, we hope will be a powerful combination.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Can you speak about the pilots and how many of these are ongoing?

[Paul Thompson]

The Black business procurement pilot is one that we launched in January 2021. There are a lot of insights that were gained on that and that are now being implemented as part of the go-forward program of work. There's regular engagement with the broader supplier diversity council. I had an interesting meeting just a week or two ago with that group, so there's ongoing engagement that has advice that's feeding into the program of work and the design of our procurement model.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Do you see it being permanent, this program?

[Paul Thompson]

Yes. These are measures that we definitely want to make permanent, including our procurement assistance Canada program, which I should have noted, and which is a capability we've developed that provides coaching services for businesses that are trying to access procurement so they're not left on their own to figure it out. We actually have some pathfinding supports. That's been a successful model, and it's being continuously redesigned in response to the feedback we're getting from equity-seeking businesses.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

Thank you.

Now we will go to five minutes.

Welcome to the committee, Mr. Gourde.

You have five minutes.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My thanks to the witnesses for joining us.

My first question goes to Mr. Thompson.

Canada needs F‑35 fighter planes now. Mr. Thompson, have you received a directive to speed up the process of procuring fighter planes?

[Paul Thompson]

Thank you for the question.

As I said a few minutes ago, a process is under way. In the fall, the government announced that two proposals remain that meet the requirements for moving to the next stage of the process. We are still working on the next stage of the process. We expect to announce the results in the coming weeks or months.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Have you received a political directive to speed up the process?

[Paul Thompson]

The process includes a governance system. A little more time is needed to evaluate the proposals.

My colleague Mr. Page would be able to complete my answer.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Thompson, we can't wait any longer. We must speed up the process. We need those fighter planes.

On another topic, Chantier Davie Canada is in a good position to build ships in the future. [Technical difficulties] Davie could be a partner in the national shipbuilding strategy.

Could the company be accredited as part of the national shipbuilding strategy right away?

[Paul Thompson]

Thank you for the question.

A process is under way to examine the possibility of Chantier Davie becoming the third company in the national shipbuilding strategy.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Forgive me for rushing you, Mr. Thompson, but we are in a hurry.

Is there an emergency procurement process to speed up the procurement of military equipment to protect Canadian soil in a time of war?

[Paul Thompson]

Yes, there is a process. We extended it for 10 weeks to complete the qualification process. The file is moving forward.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Thompson, what can you do to speed up any process involving the procurement of military equipment to protect Canadians, so that they feel safer?

[Paul Thompson]

With regard to Chantier Davie, I would like to add that the shipyard already has a major work program.

Once again, I could ask Mr. Page to add some details.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

I have another question.

We are going to be sending combat body armour and night vision equipment to our allies in Ukraine. Will those items be taken directly from our reserves? If so, will they be quickly replaced?

[Paul Thompson]

Unfortunately, I have no details about that contract. I will let Mr. Page tell you about it.

[Simon Page]

Thank you very much for the question.

Discussions on a potential transfer of equipment are currently under way. The procurement strategies for that equipment are not yet developed. Depending on the procurement strategy chosen, it is possible that Public Services and Procurement Canada may be involved

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Are we running the risk that our army will be [technical difficulties]?

[Simon Page]

Thank you for the question. However, the question is more for the Department of National Defence, because they manage the inventory of all equipment and they know the operational needs of each mission.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

I have one last question.

We need—

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

Excuse me, Mr. Gourde.

Can you put your mike down a little bit? Let's try it that way.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

In terms of the strategy to protect Canadian territory in the Arctic, do the Arctic radar stations need to be modernized? Have contracts for modernizing those radar stations been awarded at this time?

[Simon Page]

Thank you for the question.

Earlier, in 2021, we awarded a contract to continue the maintenance and operational programs at the radar stations.

Once again, questions on the needs and plans for modernization are better directed to the Department of National Defence, because they control and manage equipment needs.