Canada's Defence Procurement Woes

"Defence procurement has bedeviled governments in Canada, and indeed around the world, for decades. Jeffrey Collins provides an important contribution to finding a better way forward. A must-read for current and aspiring leaders."

- Michael Wernick, Clerk of the Privy Council (2016-2019), Jarislowsky Chair in Public Sector Management, University of Ottawa and author of Governing Canada.

"If everyone in the business reads this book, Canada saves billions buying kit and it's instantly the most valuable book ever published."

 - Dr. Ian Brodie, Professor of Political Science, University of Calgary, Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper (2006-2008) and author of At the Centre of Government.

"This well-research and authoritative book takes a commonly misunderstood and often maligned process, sheds light on its many challenges, and offers some potentially pragmatic solutions. It is a “should read” for anyone interested in this important topic; and, a “must read” for government officials, elected representatives and media pundits alike.”

- Mark Norman, Vice-Admiral, Royal Canadian Navy (Ret’d)

This book challenges the perceived underlying causes and culprits of the ongoing challenges in Canadian defence procurement, arguing that although headlines often put the blame on the political leadership, the defence procurement bureaucracy, ongoing pressures in the defence industry and continuous demands placed on Canada though its alliances also carry a large part of the responsibility. Focusing on four main case studies: the Fixed Wing Search and Rescue Plane, the Joint Support Ships, the Medium Support Vehicle System and the Halifax Class Modernization, the author offers a comparative analysis of how these ongoing procurement efforts were dealt with by different administrations, from Jean Chrétien and PaulMartin to Stephen Harper.  




Jeffrey F. Collins is Adjunct Professor at the University of Prince Edward Island.