CASR

Canadian
American
Strategic
Review

Canada First  Defence Strategy – Government/DND Document – 18 June 2008 Government of Canada  /  Department of  National Defence News Release  –  CANADA   FIRST   DEFENCE   STRATEGY VI. POSITIONING CANADIAN INDUSTRY FOR SUCCESS The unprecedented commitment of long-term, stable funding over the next 20 years will directly support Advantage Canada, the Government’s strategic plan for boosting the economic prosperity, global competitiveness and quality of life of Canadians. Indeed, the Canada First Defence Strategy represents a significant investment in the country’s industry, knowledge, and technology sectors that will yield sizeable dividends for every region of the country. This clear, long-term plan will give these sectors the opportunity to better position themselves to compete for defence contracts in Canada and in the global marketplace. Global Excellence Combined with the improved framework for competition and trade provided through Advantage Canada, the Canada First Defence Strategy will help position Canadian companies for success in the global marketplace.  Its infusion of  long-term,  stable funding will allow industry to plan ahead, make better use of investments in capital and technology, and become more effective players in the supply chains of the world’s primary defence equipment manufacturers. In short, this Strategy will help Canadian companies build global excellence and leverage Canada’s competitive advantage. Technology and Innovation Through Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), National Defence has a long history of working with Canadian industry and with its allies to develop techno- logy that meets the needs of the Canadian Forces. As National Defence implements this Strategy, DRDC will collaborate with defence partners to derive maximum benefit from technology and ensure that the Canadian Forces continue to be a state-of-the-art military. The significant procurement initiatives contained in this plan will also open up valu- able new opportunities for Canadian industry, building on the Government’s Science and Technology Strategy. Specifically, the new long-term funding framework will allow large, well-established companies in Canada’s high-value-added technology sectors to align their own manufacturing, support, and research and development plans to better support defence procurement requirements. Significant benefits will also accrue to small and medium-sized companies that have established themselves as world leaders in specific technologies. They will be better positioned to grow and expand their businesses and to invest in emerging technolo- gies at a level that will improve the likelihood of developing a viable product. Finally, much of the technology and innovation that will be required to rebuild the Canadian Forces will have valuable commercial applications, resulting in additional long-term benefits for industry. A New Relationship The Canada First Defence Strategy will set the stage for a renewed relationship with Canadian defence industry and research and development organizations across the country. The Government will take specific measures to enhance its interaction with industry. For example, it will continue to improve the way it procures new equipment, fostering greater transparency and engaging industry earlier in the process. These ongoing procurement reforms will further streamline the contracting process and ensure that it continues to remain open and fair. In addition, the Government will revise the current industrial benefit policies attached to significant procurement projects with a view to encouraging industry to make long-term investments in Canada. With the Government’s significant investment in the Canadian Forces, Canadians will profit from the development of high-tech, high-value sustainable jobs in all regions – directly, through the development of military capabilities, and indirectly, through technological spinoffs and commercial applications. This will put Canadians to work protecting Canadians. Universities and colleges will also benefit through increased opportunities to undertake cutting-edge research. VII. CONCLUSION The Canada First Defence Strategy represents a major milestone, and reflects the Government’s commitment to rebuilding the Canadian Forces into a first-class military capable of providing enhanced security for Canadians. It strikes the right balance between what the Forces need today, and what they will likely need in the future to address a different set of security challenges. Recognizing that the global security environment and the capabilities required to deal effectively with it will continue to evolve, the Government is committed to reviewing this comprehensive plan on a regular basis to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the military and Canadians. The implementation of the Canada First Defence Strategy will give the Forces, who sacrifice so much for their country, the resources they need to perform their vital missions to a standard that Canadians expect and deserve. This 20-year plan to rebuild the Forces, supported by an unprecedented long-term, predictable funding framework, will ensure that Canadians can depend on a military capable of delivering excellence at home, meeting its commitments as a reliable partner in the defence of North America, and projecting leadership abroad in support of inter- national security. It will also allow the Government to develop a stronger,  mutually beneficial  relation- ship with industry. Above all, a revitalized and transformed Canadian Forces, working in partnership with the knowledgeable and responsive civilian personnel of  [DND], will help ensure the safety and security of our citizens well into the 21st century. <   Part 5  —  Canada First  Defence Strategy  –  Rebuilding the Canadian Forces