It would be interesting if government could take a more flexible and active kind of investment approach in critical technologies. We've benefited from significant R and D funding through contributions, but I feel there are times where that could move more quickly. The evolving and changing needs of the Canadian Forces could potentially be met by coming to industry and saying, “We need this, and we need it right now,” and working with industry in a different way from, say, traditional procurement. It could be an equity investment. It could be something else where money is flowing and the capability is being developed. Subsequently, it's provided to the Canadian government, but without that long pull of procurement.
On October 29th, 2024. See this statement in context.