Government Operations committee  Maybe I'll break the ice and turn it over to my colleagues from DND for the second part. At this time, as the procurement process remains live and very active, we cannot assume anything about the winning bidder.

Government Operations committee  I must say that in the execution of this process, there has been very little frustration. As stated a bit earlier, we conducted a fair, open and transparent competition. We had a phased bid compliance process, which was embraced by industry. We're very happy with where we are. We're happy with the recent milestones, with the evaluation being completed, and moving forward with the next phase of the procurement.

Government Operations committee  Yes, there has been leadership change in the process, but because the process was very rigid and executed according to very specific rules, using a governance that was specifically applied to the project itself and overseen from a process point of view by the defence procurement strategy governance, we would be on solid ground if any other leadership changes were to occur.

Government Operations committee  Maybe, as the entity here running the procurement process for this project, I can provide some light. The future fighter capability project process continues to progress soundly. It is very active. Our mandate as a defence procurement apparatus was to conduct a fair, open and transparent competition with this project, and we have done so.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Chair, thank you for the question. Yes, we have received nine aircraft purchased under a contract with Airbus, in Spain. We are currently in discussions with the company to resolve technical difficulties we are having with the aircraft. We are doing that to ensure to be able to get the certification and the necessary qualifications for the next steps and effectively integrate the CC‑295 Kingfisher aircraft into the Royal Canadian Air Force's fleet.

Government Operations committee  Thank you very much for the question. The file is moving forward. We are engaged in active discussions with Leonardo's representatives. The discussion process is fairly elaborate. We are currently considering a number of options to ensure a viable solution is found, which would be logical for aviation and would have economic benefits and a solid return on investment for Canadians.

Government Operations committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon. My name is Simon Page and I am pleased to be with you today in my role as assistant deputy minister of the defence and marine procurement branch at Public Services and Procurement Canada. The Minister of PSPC's 2021 mandate letter includes a commitment to “Ensure the ongoing delivery of defence procurements in support of Canada's Defence Policy, 'Strong, Secure, Engaged'.”

Government Operations committee  The specific GBAD, ground-based air defence, project in DND remains in the later stage of option analysis, moving to definition. When it moves from option analysis to definition, we will be involved with the contract. At the moment, PSPC does not have a contract for the GBAD project or GBAD requirements.

Government Operations committee  I am very happy to report that the answer to this question is, absolutely. We have a couple of strategies that are specifically focused on working together, not only with other government departments but with the shipyards and the marine industry at large in Canada, to look at specific domains where challenges may be encountered.

Government Operations committee  The requirement we have from our client, in this case the Department of National Defence, is for 88 aircraft under this project. The current budget is up to $19 billion.

Government Operations committee  I understand, Mr. Chair. Thank you for the note. There are some associations outside of government business that are focused on integrating members into a larger marine industry discussion nationally. Every organization is entitled to join these organizations and to share its comments, so that we can have a greater understanding, a comprehensive understanding at the national level, of what's going on.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Chair, I'm really sorry, but I had a breakage in audio. I wonder if I could get someone to repeat the question, please.

Government Operations committee  We are tracking some delivery dates. They're only estimated delivery dates now, because the project is in definition, as mentioned before by my deputy. The project remains in a very active procurement process. This procurement process is progressing well. We are still working very hard to be in contract in 2022.

Government Operations committee  At the moment, no work is being done on contracts for modernizing and updating the radar system in the north. However, as I have just mentioned, in 2021, we awarded a long-term contract for the maintenance and operation of the radar stations.

Government Operations committee  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