OTTAWA – Canada’s new government has delivered on its commitment to equip and strengthen the Canadian Forces with this week’s “Canada First” defence procurement announcements, a series of equipment purchases and related support services valued at up to $17.1 billion.
The Department of National Defence is procuring four strategic lift aircraft, 17 tactical lift aircraft, 16 medium- to heavy-lift helicopters, 2300 medium-sized logistics trucks, and three supply ships.
“This Government’s “Canada First” defence strategy will strengthen Canada’s independent capacity to defend our national sovereignty and security,” said Gordon O’Connor, Minister of National Defence. “We are making our Canadian Forces self-reliant by giving them the tools they need to succeed.”
As part of the Government’s “Canada First” commitment to strengthen Canada’s multi-role, combat-capable defence force, the Department of National Defence is investing approximately:
$5 billion for strategic and tactical aircraft, with an additional $3.3 billion to be spent over the next 20 years on in-service support, a large portion of which will be done by Canadian industry;
$2 billion for medium- to heavy-lift helicopters, with an additional $2.7 billion to be spent over the next 20 years on in-service support, which will largely be done by Canadian industry;
$1.1 billion for medium-sized logistics trucks, associated components, logistic and training support, with an additional $100 million to be spent over the next 20 years on contracted in-service support, with significant contribution from Canadian industry;
$2.1 billion for three supply ships - design, construction and associated logistical and training support - in a competitive Canadian environment, in accordance with Canadian shipbuilding policy, with an estimated $800 million to be spent over the next 20 years on in-service support, contributing greatly to Canadian industry.
“The procurement process will be fair, open, transparent and in line with this government's Federal Accountability Act and Action Plan,” said Michael Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada. “A rigorous procurement process has been put in place to ensure that the equipment meets the needs of the men and women of the Canadian Forces while making sure that Canadians taxpayers get the best value for their hard earned money."
“The “Canada First” initiative will help our industry, here in Canada, as specific industrial benefits packages will be negotiated for each of these projects," said Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry. “We expect contractors to deliver one dollar in high-quality economic activity in Canada for every dollar they are awarded as part of these contracts. These economic benefits packages will mean billions in long-term business activity in Canada.”
“We ask a lot from the men and women who wear our nation’s uniform and it is essential that we give them the right tools for the demanding jobs that we ask them to do for our country,” said General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff. “That’s what these projects are all about – providing the necessary tools for the Canadian Forces to increase our ability to protect Canadians, where they live and where they work; at home in Canada or around the world.”
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Details regarding the specific procurement projects are available in a backgrounder.
