Follow-up to AssocDM: Implementation of Justice Fish’s Recommendation 103

30 May 2025

 

Ms. Natasha Kim
Associate Deputy Minister
Department of National Defence
Major-General George R. Pearkes Building
13th Floor, North Tower
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2

 

Dear Ms. Kim:

Thank you for your letter, received on 6 May 2025, regarding the implementation of Recommendation 103 of Justice Fish’s Third Independent Review of the National Defence Act.

This office has previously expressed concern about the perceived independence and legitimacy of a review that is administered by one of the organizations the Office of the Ombudsman is, itself, mandated to review. However, I am encouraged by your assurance that the Department is acting solely as a facilitator of the contracting process and that the approach will be revalidated once Ministerial business resumes.

With that understanding and on the condition that our mandate and independence are fully respected throughout the process, we are prepared to work in partnership with ADM(RS) on this project. Note that ADM(RS) has already reached out to me, and I have responded by identifying a contact person to work on the development of the Statement of Work as well as to collaborate on evaluating the bids and clearing the final report.

I look forward to a fruitful collaboration.

Sincerely,

 

Robyn Hynes

Interim Ombud

 

cc. Minister of National Defence