National Defence committee  I can start. Understand I'm still getting up to speed on some of this stuff, but thank you for the question, Mr. Chair. My understanding is that we are expecting bids in shortly, within the next month or so. You're right that the process has had a few stops and starts, but my

National Defence committee  To add to the deputy's comments, Mr. Chair, one of the challenges that people have with significant spending involving assets in any government department is that on some days people are throwing out cash numbers and on others they are putting out accrual numbers, and people are

National Defence committee  I've been doing that for approximately four years.

National Defence committee  Yes, absolutely.

National Defence committee  Thank you.

National Defence committee  Procurement recruitment is a government-wide issue. Obviously defence is a big consumer of procurement specialists, as well as the department of PSPC. That recruitment plan needs to be joint at some levels. Obviously there is a specialty in military procurement. Our big seller

National Defence committee  Thank you for your question, sir. I have only been in my position for a week, but I can say two things about the connection with the civilian world. First, the deputy minister has already mentioned her intention to follow the progress of each initiative. More than 111 initiativ

National Defence committee  But it's on us to get to the requirements definition phase done faster. That will—

National Defence committee  Yes.

National Defence committee  Mr. Chair, the procurement issue is a serious one for implementing this new policy. Some of the things that we need to acquire are frankly very complicated and are going to take some time. Other things are less complicated and shouldn't take as much time. It's not a challenge w

National Defence committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for the opportunity to address this committee. I consider it an honour and a privilege to have been appointed senior associate deputy minister of the Department of National Defence. I am looking forward to working with Deputy Minister Thomas and