In this episode of On The Line, host Jen Gerson speaks with Jeff Collins, director of the Palmer Institute for Canadian Leadership in Charlottetown, P.E.I., about Canada’s military procurement problems, the country’s evolving national security strategy, and whether our newfound enthusiasm for getting our elbows up against the Americans makes any sense when it comes to national defence.
This episode is brought to you by BioCanRx. We’ve been partnering with federally-funded Canadian not-for-profit BioCanRx to learn how made-in-Canada immunotherapies offer new ways to beat cancer. This month we’re addressing common questions, like: are immunotherapy technologies dual-use?
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Collins draws on his experience working at the Department of National Defence and elsewhere in the federal public service to explain why Canada has such a difficult time buying the equipment its military needs. Why do procurement projects take so long, cost so much, and so often fail to deliver what was originally promised? And what would actually have to change to make the system work?
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Jen and Jeff also discuss Canada’s national security strategy and the growing pressure to reduce our military dependence on the United States. Political enthusiasm for greater Canadian independence is one thing, but the practical realities of continental defence, military integration and procurement are quite another. How realistic is an “elbows up” approach to our most important defence partner?
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It’s a conversation about bureaucracy, military readiness, national sovereignty, and whether Canada can finally get serious about equipping its Armed Forces for a much more dangerous world. We hope you enjoyed the episode, and as always, like and subscribe.
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