National Defence committee  We see some circumstances where some companies are saying that. One of the things about the ITB process is that often folks will say, “That's a strategy.” We keep saying it's not a strategy; it's a tool, and it's an after-the-fact tool. We need to take a look at how to become a

National Defence committee  I would agree with that analysis. ITB is a tool. Does the tool need a bit of work? Absolutely it does. We need to become more proactive. We need to identify or maybe remove some of the restrictions with respect to investment in the country. But again, going back, you need that

National Defence committee  I think there's an opportunity for Canada to show leadership. We're looking to that DPU release to show the leadership that's there. I think it's an opportunity to step up, an opportunity to do more rather than less. That would have an impact on the procurement side also. We're

National Defence committee  Thank you for the question. As I said before, we are very concerned about the defence policy update not coming out. It's a real opportunity for the government to signify defence as a priority for the country. Not only that, there's a huge opportunity for the defence policy upda

National Defence committee  I'm not the subject matter expert on that because I don't live the procurements every day. However, from what I hear from industry across the board, the complexity is high, and the back-and-forth that is required to put forward an application is very high and time-consuming, the

National Defence committee  Interoperability is obviously a key requirement from the armed forces, which is there. I should say that there are some great aerospace companies outside of Halifax too that are proud members of ours and doing some phenomenal work out there. Again, it goes back to identification

National Defence committee  No, I'm not sure that litigation benefits any of the parties if it's built into the system. Reducing the risk or identifying the risk in some of the procurements would be to reduce the complexity, say, for certain procurements. Do we need to have the 300-page or 1,000-page appli

National Defence committee  Absolutely. It depends on—

National Defence committee  It may be appropriate, absolutely, depending on the nature of the acquisition. However, when it's smaller in nature—a simple maintenance contract as opposed to the overall purchase of a particular product—you would take a look at it and then reduce what would need to be reduced.

National Defence committee  I'll give an example on this because, again, it goes to your question and also the previous question with respect to whether there is a disconnect here on some of these things. When the government puts in timelines, puts in key capacity and key capabilities, and puts in the fundi

National Defence committee  I won't talk about specific procurements ongoing right now.

National Defence committee  I would say so. We're eagerly awaiting the defence policy update to get a clear signal from the government on funding, timelines, capacity, capability and also that industrial strategy. It's absolutely key.

National Defence committee  In terms of what's not happening now, I think we haven't identified the capacity. We haven't identified the capability. We have, in some respects, identified the budget and then the timelines. We need all those ingredients to come together, and then industry can respond in phenom

National Defence committee  Not that I can recall.

National Defence committee  However, again, you have $38 billion. There are huge opportunities for Canadian industry, and we need support from the government to identify those opportunities in order to be able to chase them.