National Defence Committee on Nov. 7th, 2023

[Yana Lukasheh]

I appreciate the question. I'll probably turn to the expert—David—with the time we have left, and we'll certainly provide a lot in writing.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

We have a problem with his sound, so you're going to have to answer the questions yourself.

[Yana Lukasheh]

No problem. We'll endeavour to provide that in writing.

Certainly, the threat landscape has created a lot of change, specifically with cybersecurity. Technology has a role to play in supporting the defence organization and the defence organizations, as well as the Canadian Armed Forces. That adoption of the technology piece and innovation is going to be super important.

Chair, we'll provide that in writing in more detail. Thank you.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

What has changed? What developments and new threats are out there that haven't been out there is the previous years?

[Yana Lukasheh]

I think cybersecurity is a major one. That is leaving a lot of our departments vulnerable these days. Adopting technologies that are innovative and safe can support in that threat landscape and defend in that threat landscape. That's one major one.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

We see that some companies are going back to an in-house computer, away from the cloud, because of security concerns. Is this something that you're seeing Canadian industry doing or, for that matter, the defence department?

[Yana Lukasheh]

Technology adoption within the federal government has been lagging. When we compare it to other jurisdictions and global allies, they are far ahead in adopting innovative, safe and trusted technologies in the cloud, so there's a misinformation that has to be demystified here in Canada.

If I remember—and I can provide that confirmation in writing—less than 10% of government departments have adopted innovative technologies in the cloud. That leaves them susceptible to cybersecurity attacks and threats. We have seen these threats in public media lately with the Canada Revenue Agency and Global Affairs Canada. That technology adoption in the cloud is going to be extremely important in safeguarding our Canadian organizations.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Are we up to the same level as the United States, for example, and other allies with respect to encryption technology and the methods we use, or are we still behind there as well?

[Yana Lukasheh]

I would argue that we're still behind. I don't want to take the thunder away from David, so we'll probably provide a more elaborate answer in writing.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Okay.

In terms of specific threats, are there any besides the usual, Iran, Russia...? Are there any new emerging belligerents on the landscape?

[Yana Lukasheh]

Chair, I'm not able to answer that question at the moment, but I'm happy to take it back and provide that in writing.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Thank you, Mrs. Gallant.

Mrs. Lalonde, you have two minutes.

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

I'd like to thank the witnesses who've come here today. It's always interesting to see the parliamentary workings of the committee in action.

My question is for Mr. Martel, Ms. Thibaudeau and Ms. Lukasheh. What would you recommend to make Canada's procurement system better? Please keep your answers brief.

[Éric Martel]

I'll try to be quick, since we don't have a lot of time.

Simplifying the specifications would be a major improvement with respect to the time we need to put together a response. I mentioned earlier the RFP we have with another country that's 35 pages long, versus RFPs that are hundreds of pages here. This is something that I think would help with the process.

I also think it would be good for the government to do more to engage with industry proactively.

[Yana Lukasheh]

I would add two things to that: better coordination with industry around capacity and faster adoption of technology by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Thank you, witnesses. We appreciate your patience. This has been very informative, and I'm not quite sure where it will lead.

Thank you again.

The meeting is adjourned.