Backgrounder: Defence Investment Agency

Overview
The Defence Investment Agency is a new Special Operating Agency within Public Services and Procurement Canada, that will be led by the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement). Day-to-day operations are overseen by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Doug Guzman.

Mandate
The Defence Investment Agency represents a significant step in transforming Canada’s defence procurement system to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces to respond to evolving global threats and meet operational demands. It will modernize defence procurement by centralizing expertise, streamlining decision-making, and cutting red tape, while ensuring faster delivery of mission-critical equipment to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard.

The Agency’s mission is to streamline high-priority procurements, work with Canadian industry to create jobs, strengthen our defence industrial base, and drive innovation, as well as align defence investments with Canada’s strategic and operational needs

With greater autonomy and robust contracting authorities, the Agency will reduce administrative overhead, improve procurement efficiency, and enable faster, more accountable delivery of defence capabilities.

Next Steps
The Defence Investment Agency will officially begin operations in fall 2025. In its initial phase, the Agency will build its organizational foundation, including onboarding personnel, deploying integrated procurement teams, and establishing internal processes. Early engagement with departments and industry partners will be prioritized to ensure alignment on strategic objectives and operational requirements.

This phase will also serve as a proving ground for new procurement models and tools, laying the groundwork for long-term transformation and faster delivery of defence capabilities. Following which, the Defence Investment Agency will move forward with broader reforms or seek authorities, as needed, to ensure sovereign capabilities are prioritized and Canadian industry is leveraged wherever possible.

Staffing
To deliver the organization’s mandate, integrated procurement teams will be developed within the Defence Investment Agency, drawing on expertise from Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Department of National Defence, Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Coast Guard, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. This integrated staffing model will ensure continuity, leveraging existing expertise and fostering cross-departmental collaboration.

Procurements
The Defence Investment Agency will support the Canadian Armed Forces and the Coast Guard across air, land, sea, and digital domains.

All procurements related to Defence, Security, and the Coast Guard may receive input from the Defence Investment Agency, regardless of the stage in the procurement process or the authorities involved. This means that, moving forward, both the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and the Minister of National Defence can rely on the Agency’s expertise for any and all related procurements.

By leading a more integrated and streamlined approach, the Defence Investment Agency will deliver faster, more effective outcomes to strengthen Canada’s long-term defence and security.