Although COVID-19 has had a significant impact across Canada, the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) has made significant progress in 2020. The question now, is what will the headwinds be like, in 2021 and beyond?
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An unsettling revelation that Information Ops on the Canadian public had been underway for some time before the CDS got wind of it called an immediate halt. Considering that neither the CDS nor the Minister were aware of this initiative, one has to wonder what level of oversight exists for those operators?
Instead of ‘getting on’ with a competition to replace Canada's aging fighter aircraft, a distraction in the form on "interim aircraft" was created to further delay the much-dreaded competition. And now even the Auditor General is crying foul.
The recent revelation of a decision by Correctional Service Canada begs the question, how many other murderers are being released to spiritual healing lodges rather than serving their full sentences?
The usually calm Canadian summer has been disrupted by the unfortunate penchant for political tweets.
In taking the lead to highlight innovation, we will endeavour to provide publicity to the companies that are making a difference today. In our Fall edition, we will be initiating a special FrontLine Innovation Platform (FLIP) across multiple industries related to Defence and Safety and Security.
After VAdm Mark Norman’s request for financial assistance was rejected by DND (which had somehow decided the vice-admiral was guilty before being charged), supporters have stepped up to help pay legal fees for his defence. An overview of the situation that brought Canada's highly respected Vice-Chief to the courthouse.
Canadians accept the ethical responsibility to care for those who have been broken (mentally, physically or both) after being sent into harm’s way to serve the government’s will. The question is, will the courts acknowledge and legislate this moral imperative? The time has come to end this debate and do the right thing.
A former MP is revisiting the "detainee" question, suggesting Canadian soldiers committed war crimes when handing captives over to the local authorities.
At first, I was satisfied that the Canadian Armed Forces had done their due diligence to discipline five members of the CAF who had disrupted a peaceful Mi’kmaq protest. But boasting of a "win" by the Proud Boys clearly indicates little, if anything, was learned.
Defence procurement is a dysfunctional system that includes an ever-growing continuum of approvals but has a non-accountability as its goal.
The first objective in the government’s strategy to improve defence procurement is “delivering the right equipment to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard in a timely manner.”
We're told that procurement has to be complicated, and that teams of lawyers are required on all sides, but let's deconstruct that notion. Thinking outside the bureaucratic box would allow us to reset the parameters for a less cumbersome, faster, and ultimately "more fair" system.
The year 2016 started out with great promise. First, we had a new and invigorated government...
Is it surprisingly ironic, or sadly inevitable, that the Liberals have begun to reach too far in a quest for control? On 27 October 2016, in a clarification to previous wording, the Government of Canada forbade any private companies interested in work on the CSC project (primes or subs) from any form of public announcement or promotion without prior consent from Irving Shipbuilding. This dangerous first step must be reversed – entirely.
The most important lesson the Trudeau government should take away from Brexit is take advice from informed sources.
Safeguarding the Canadian way of life is the prime directive of government. Are politicians taking steps to ensure Canadians understand the issues that can affect their future security?
Average citizens should not have to dwell on how to deal angry jihadis. The Government of Canada should not depend on polls or approval ratings before making the necessary hard choices to ensure our peaceful lifestyle is protected against those who would obliterate it.
The Liberal Government has chosen to step back and make real change rather than incremental adjustments that tend to bog down the system with numerous workarounds...
FrontLine publisher and editor Chris MacLean last week received the 2015 Ross Munro Media Award at the CDAI's 2016 Conference on Security and Defence in Ottawa.
Based on Prime Minister Trudeau’s clear mandates to his new Cabinet ministers, the government is clearly ready to think outside the box when it comes to Defence Procurement.
A recurring theme in many FrontLine articles over the last decade, the need for a clarification of vital national interests on which to articulate clear policy reverberates strongly in this edition.
Does quality and integrity in journalism matter? Do trade publications do enough to advocate for constructive change with informed commentary? Does the defence and security industry do enough to support the right effort?
A look at how defence procurement activity will (not) progress through Fiscal Year 2015.
While the Loyal Opposition was established to hold the ruling government to account through constructive and responsible interrogation in the House. A more current definition (found on ask.com) describes the Loyal Opposition as “a group of dissenters who seek to disrupt the programs of the party in charge.” The question now, is who cares what the people want?
Defence Procurement: it’s the Government’s duty to get things moving.
Canada’s air strikes are having the intended disruptive effect. The big question going forward is: will the peaceful Muslim community respond in unity against the so-called “Islamic State”?
I believe we are indeed willing to fight for our way of life (and clearly, inaction is not even remotely an option), but who are we fighting, and why?
Canned media releases and prepared statements are making true journalism more and more difficult.
Many have said it wouldn’t be done, some believed it couldn’t be done, but the federal government is actually working together to find the most workable combinations for defence procurement.
Change is in the wind. Although no one knows exactly how this will play out, defence and aerospace industry leaders welcome the new initiatives, hoping they will bring positive change.
There’s no denying that the Department of National Defence is in financial disarray.
Advice from a 101 year old Cameron Highlander.
As frustration levels rise among those involved in defence procurement, FrontLine responds by publishing additional rounds of constructive commentaries in this and coming editions.
Should Canada make defence decisions based on the military’s perceived requirements, or should key national interests dictate what the military needs?
While informed debate is beneficial to the democratic process, it is absolutely critical to progress and growth. Articles in this edition of FrontLine Defence prove once again the complexities of the defence world.
Focus on the need for a robust system to challenge requirements specifications and the need to make defendable discretionary decisions to stay on track.
Are you relieved that we are turning the clocks back to the pre-sole-sourcing days of the CF-18 replacement?
Clear policies and strong strategies are the critical links that are repeatedly called for by so many in the defence communities.
With this great summer weather, one might expect FrontLine’s editorial lineup to be on the light side. We have instead, some serious summer reading on many aspects of defence procurement.
We’ve already established that Canada’s defence procurement process is painful, but why is that so?
Defence Procurement, SAR and Communication Control.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter," said Martin Luther King Jr., a strong leader during a tumultuous time.
New Years' Resolutions – Let's get the right expertise in the right position, at the right time.
Now that it has a majority, will the federal government relax a bit or tighten its grip on what they like to call “communication” but what is actually “control of information”?
Will the new Associate Minister of Defence (Procurement), Julian Fantino, de-clutter the playing field?
The Conservative government has its well-deserved majority.
Are the requirements for public safety, national security and military force converging? Gasp!
Defence requirements never seem to lessen
One of the most important decisions facing governments of “the west” is how to handle the dangerous unrest in the middle east, particularly Afghanistan.
Can we truly justify sovereignty claims of our Northern lands simply through a few joint exercises held up there during the more hospitable months of the year? The simple answer is no.
Are we trading soldier safety for lower cost? That’s a delicate question. Our ‘special trucks’ correspondent, Shaun Connors, takes a look at the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) program and the companies competing to provide this much needed asset.
Three people from different backgrounds tackle the topic from widely different perspectives.
Human rights do not exist for women and children in Afghanistan.
FrontLine articles provide a wide-ranging selection of topics related to space, satellites and research.
In FrontLine’s continuing focus on the defence procurement system, we bring you the thoughtful response from Janet Thorsteinson to an important question recently posed by Dan Ross, ADM(Mat): “Is too much risk being passed to vendors?”
Canada’s Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay, briefs readers on the Canada First Defence Strategy.
Careful assessment of the post 9/11 global security environment has uncovered important niche requirements that the navy is perfectly suited to fill.
Many new names have joined the ranks of FrontLine contributors.
FrontLine’s "Great Debate" on procurement looks at the situation from many angles... none of them very good.
Communicating with the public is increasingly being seen as an essential (and inevitable) aspect of maintaining public support for Canada's dangerous missions. Both CF and government leaders have repeatedly stated the need to rally support for the young Canadian men and women who are presently in harms way…
Can transparency, efficiency and fairness co-exist in defence procurement?
Welcome to the new FrontLine. This new magazine brings together many well-known writers and industry experts to offer another voice on the defence and enforcement scene. With the Canadian public becoming more and more aware of the issues and challenges in this sector, we certainly believe there is a need for this new publication.