Canada moves to 2% GDP end of FY25/26 - PMMC

[SeaKingTacco]

Yep. And this wasn't even the case 6 months ago. I was literally arguing with ADM(IE) to get trees trimmed at an antenna site last fall. "Not business planned."

It's unbelievable how much things have changed.

I get that it will take time to translate down.

I have a backlog of infrastructure projects where I work. 6 months ago, I was telling RP Ops things had changed and that money was available and they should start filling my work orders because they were going to be very, very busy by the fall. I got eye-rolled.

Today, I cannot write work orders fast enough for them…

 

[MJP]

I have a backlog of infrastructure projects where I work. 6 months ago, I was telling RP Ops things had changed and that money was available and they should start filling my work orders because they were going to be very, very busy by the fall. I got eye-rolled.

Today, I cannot write work orders fast enough for them…

It is hard to adjust to having resources. Where I work we had to send out a wide ranging email saying spend spend spend. Even then we had to clarify we meant spend regardless of what flavour of money it needed as people were hesitant to spend what they didn't technically have.

 

[markppcli]

It is hard to adjust to having resources. Where I work we had to send out a wide ranging email saying spend spend spend. Even then we had to clarify we meant spend regardless of what flavour of money it needed as people were hesitant to spend what they didn't technically have.

We got the same, our cell is pushing for as many items as we can and is actively engaging LCMM for others. Other batteries? They aren’t getting it.

 

[KevinB]

I'm hoping for this too. Especially if the economy starts slowing, it's an easy win to put construction workers back to work and improve the efficiency of the CAF too.

My fear is that there isn't enough long term planning in a lot of branches to have projects that are ready to be funded. Whoever is shovel ready will get funding when the call comes.

So not the CA then

 

[Cloud Cover]

No new timeline for F-35 decision, Carney to decide ‘when he’s ready’: Fuhr

Canada’s Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr says there is no new timeline for the government to make a decision about the purchase of F-35s from the United States.

www.ctvnews.ca

If I was Donald Trump this week I would inform Carney that he intends to thank Canada very much for their interest in the F35 and for donating their production order to the Israeli Air Force.

 

[dapaterson]

No new timeline for F-35 decision, Carney to decide ‘when he’s ready’: Fuhr

Canada’s Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr says there is no new timeline for the government to make a decision about the purchase of F-35s from the United States.

www.ctvnews.ca

If I was Donald Trump this week I would inform Carney that he intends to thank Canada very much for their interest in the F35 and for donating their production order to the Israeli Air Force.

The CAF order is locked in and committed. Future orders are not.

There are multiple factors that will influence CF35 timelines. Building airframes probably isn't in the top three.

 

[dapaterson]

We're all waiting to see what this new agency is going to do. That's the big test. For a lot of the multi-billion dollar stuff the hold up is Treasury Board. If this new agency replaces TB Approval with some kind of delegated authority, it'll be a game changer.

Right now, every single change or innovative procurement strategy requires a change to the TB Sub. And that sets you back at least 6 months. It creates a mindset where PDs will even push requirements they know are incomplete because they fear governance slippage. An agency that has competent procurement folks whose job is to say "yes" instead of "no" would completely change the procurement mindset of the institution.

There has been work over the past few years to slowly improve TB approvals. Many of the gatekeepers in that process are internal, not external.

But there is also a need to build, sustain and maintain professionalism on the DND CAF side. OPMCA isn't sexy, but it's important. Reinforcing good behaviours in projects that aligns with OPMCA is part of how you take projects away from TB and delegate to MND or DM or even ADM level.

But seeking to enter definition and announcing that you haven't even looked at past projects and their lessons learned is a good way to show that you are going to fuck it up.

Edit: reference on OPMCA Directive on the Management of Projects and Programmes- Canada.ca

 

[PrairieFella]

Im not asking for leaks @dapaterson and @ytz but with all of the effort to speed things up, can we expect a slew of announcements coming soon?

 

[ytz]

I have a backlog of infrastructure projects where I work. 6 months ago, I was telling RP Ops things had changed and that money was available and they should start filling my work orders because they were going to be very, very busy by the fall. I got eye-rolled.

Today, I cannot write work orders fast enough for them…

At least the good part here is that you saw it coming and had your orders ready. There's a few dullards who are only catching on now.

It is hard to adjust to having resources. Where I work we had to send out a wide ranging email saying spend spend spend. Even then we had to clarify we meant spend regardless of what flavour of money it needed as people were hesitant to spend what they didn't technically have.

There's also a lot of people in the process who have gotten used to a light workload. Now there's a tsunami of work orders and they aren't used to it.

We got the same, our cell is pushing for as many items as we can and is actively engaging LCMM for others. Other batteries? They aren’t getting it.

Whoever is doing your business planning needs to be absolutely protected at all cost. Those other folks who didn't see it coming? They'll be coming for your guy/gal shortly.

The CAF order is locked in and committed. Future orders are not.

There are multiple factors that will influence CF35 timelines. Building airframes probably isn't in the top three.

Let's be honest, so much is behind schedule on NGF. Particularly infrastructure. And money won't fix that right now. Good chance for government to use project slippage and deferred orders for trade leverage. I think orders will get stretched to 2034 eventually.

 

[ytz]

Im not asking for leaks @dapaterson and @ytz but with all of the effort to speed things up, can we expect a slew of announcements coming soon?

Define "soon".

There's definitely stuff that is getting staffed up. And more announcements are on the way. But I do think there's probably some projects that might get slowed a few months as the new agency gets up to speed. Mixed bag.

But as a rule of thumb, projects that have a team who have done the requisite staff work are getting pushed. If your favourite item got the C team working on it, well.....

 

[markppcli]

We have our own budget, we aren’t worried about people “coming for us.”

 

[ytz]

We have our own budget, we aren’t worried about people “coming for us.”

I mean trying to steal your people. Not the budget.

The war for talent is ramping as money flows in. On the project that I am working on, HR is now one of our top 3 risks. Our people keep getting poached as soon they get a bit of experience.

 

[markppcli]

I mean trying to steal your people. Not the budget.

The war for talent is ramping as money flows in. On the project that I am working on, HR is now one of our top 3 risks. Our people keep getting poached as soon they get a bit of experience.

Ahhh misread that, well managed specialties backed by CFAOs have their advantages.

 

[Maxman1]

If that's true, what does it say about the CPC that was at 1% spending when we had troops down range?

Except the Afghanistan mission had ended when spending dipped to 1%.

Shortcomings by the Conservatives do not give a free pass to the Liberals.

 

[Jarnhamar]

If that's true, what does it say about the CPC that was at 1% spending when we had troops down range?

The CPC haven't been in power for 10 years. "But the Conservatives "isn't germaine here, we're discussing the GOC hitting 2% by FY 25/26.

I don't think apathy on defence is uniquely a Liberal trait in Canada, unfortunately. Both major parties usually have higher priorities. CPC with tax cuts. LPC with social spending.

I agree with you. If we "but the other guy" then we can find all kinds of excuses for the current government to break their promises and no one get held accountable.

Actually committed to hitting 2% this Fiscal.

How is this different from the Libeal government in 2017's Strong, Secure, Engaged, reaffirming Canada's commitment to hitting 2%

2023 Vilnius Summit.

April 2024 Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence (which also reiterated plans to accelerate defence investments)

And is cutting cheques to do that, for a start.

This government is great at cutting cheques; getting the goods is issue.

I see the government ignored their own timing for F35's and now it's when Carney feels like it.

Show me a PM who has made that commitment with a sincere effort, since Mulroney.

I remember the same "he's so new and committed" energy when Trudeua was was elected.

Also, like I said, unless you're on a project, you're not seeing it.

Are you able to speak to what projects you're currently on and give examples of how you're physically seeing procurement acceleratd?

understand how different this moment is.

People said that in 2015.

So whatever your cynicism, there's more than a few people that believe this is different.

It's never difficult to find true believes who just know.

It's true of any government. I'm just glad that money is flowing. And long-standing reforms (like the procurement agency) are being moved on.

I don't think money flowing was ever the problem. It was transparency, accountability, and results that were missing over the last decade.

 

[Brad Sallows]

Judging from what ive read, Carney is approaching this like a business deal when it comes to procurement. Meaning he doesnt want lip service her wants results, internally theres a lot of money thats been green lit for things not announced yet that DND wants.

Yes, minister.

I can guess what will prevail.

 

[ytz]

Except the Afghanistan mission had ended when spending dipped to 1%.

Shortcomings by the Conservatives do not give a free pass to the Liberals.

Absolutely not saying they do. I'm just not a fan of the framing that one party is uniquely bad on this or that the other is substantially better.

 

[ytz]

Today, I cannot write work orders fast enough for them…

Lol. I'm waiting for somebody to try their luck and ask for a Japanese toilet.

 

[brihard]

Lol. I'm waiting for somebody to try their luck and ask for a Japanese toilet.

It would come with a DLN course.

 

[Maxman1]

Absolutely not saying they do. I'm just not a fan of the framing that one party is uniquely bad on this or that the other is substantially better.

I've mostly seen people doing that in favour of the Liberals.