Canada Launches Third-Party Oversight of Defence Procurement

News Release

Defence Minister announces membership of the Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisition

June 1, 2015

OTTAWA – Canadian defence procurement will now be subject to the rigour of a new independent, third-party challenge function with today’s announcement of the first Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisition, a core component of the Government of Canada’s Defence Procurement Strategy.

The Panel brings together the right combination of knowledge, experience and expertise to help validate the requirements for major military procurement projects and to provide independent, third-party advice to the Minister of National Defence. The establishment of this panel is an important initiative to help National Defence achieve greater clarity and certainty in the initial stages of the procurement process.

On the recommendation of the Prime Minister, the Governor in Council (GIC) has appointed the following panel members:

Mr. Larry Murray, CM, CMM, CD (also the chair designate)
Mr. Martin Gagné
Ms. Renée Jolicoeur
Mr. Philippe Lagassé
Mr. David N. Caddey

Quick Facts

The expert third-party panel will review and validate requirements for all projects valued over $100 million, and other select projects below this value. The Defence Procurement Strategy (DPS) aims to deliver the right equipment to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in a timely manner, leverage these purchases to create jobs and growth, and streamline procurement processes. The strategy committed to the establishment of a third-party challenge function at DND.
On July 24, 2014, Mr. Keith Coulter was appointed as a Special Advisor to provide advice on the implementation of this new function and the establishment of the Panel. He will serve as the initial chairperson until the end of his term in July 2015. Mr. Larry Murray will then become the chair.
Defence procurement spending has significant potential to produce substantial spin-off benefits to Canada’s knowledge, innovation and export-based economy.

Quotes

“We’re taking a significant step forward in our Government’s commitment to develop and maintain a first-class, modern military that is well-equipped to take on the challenges of the 21^st century. The Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisition will help us deliver the right equipment in a timely manner to the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces at the best value for Canadian taxpayers.”
Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence

“The appointment of an independent, third-party panel of experts – who are able to provide advice on military requirements, and which includes industry representatives – is an important step forward in operationalizing the Defence Procurement Strategy and shows our combined commitment to improving the procurement system.”
Christyn Cianfarani, Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) President

“The independent, third-party panel announced today, which includes several industry experts well-versed in the complex nature of federal procurements, is another strong step forward in the ongoing implementation of the Defence Procurement Strategy. The panel will have an important role to play in providing expert, independent advice to government on procurement projects and requirements, and the panel members announced today are well-qualified to meet this responsibility. We are very pleased that this panel has been struck and look forward to continuing to work together with government on strengthening our procurement process.”
Jim Quick, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) President and CEO

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Contacts

Lauren Armstrong
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
Lauren.Armstrong2@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811
mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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Hon. Jason Kenney National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Military

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Date modified:: 2015-06-01

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Canada Launches Third-Party Oversight of Defence Procurement

News Release

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