Senator Housakos: With all the questions being asked, and with the RCMP’s investigation and the Auditor General’s investigation being launched on this issue, you’re telling me that you’ll look for the information. How many outsourcing firms run programs for the Department of National Defence? For example, who runs the medical services for the Department of National Defence? Is that done in-house, or is that contracted out? If it’s contracted out, can you please tell us to whom, minister? When you do contract out our services at National Defence, how many are awarded without tender or through selective tendering? These are questions that should be easily answered by a minister of the Crown. How many contracts have been awarded to Dalian by the Department of National Defence either without tender or through some kind of selective tender?

If you have questions about any particular contract that National Defence may be involved in, I’ll make sure that you receive that information. I didn’t bring with me today and do not have direct knowledge of the contracts that you speak of, so I don’t want to speculate. I certainly wouldn’t give you any information of which I was uncertain.

Hon. Bill Blair, P.C., M.P., Minister of National Defence: Thank you very much, Senator Plett, for the question. Thank you also, ladies and gentlemen, for the privilege and the opportunity to come before you today.

In the aftermath of the terrible attack and the murder of innocents that took place on October 7, there was, very importantly, a reaction. I think that we have been very clear on the government’s position with respect to affirming Israel’s right to defend itself. As a result of the bombing of the hospital that took place in Gaza, there were a lot of questions and, I think, a lot of misinformation with respect to what had taken place there.

I met with my officials at the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, and I asked them for a close examination of the ballistics of the event and the trajectory of the ammunition. They examined both the open-source information and the classified material that was available to us. Then, I had the opportunity to brief the Prime Minister on this matter on that Saturday afternoon, and, after briefing the Prime Minister, I made a public statement.

Senator, I would respectfully disagree with your characterization. I think the Prime Minister reacted in a very understandable way to the explosion that took place at that hospital and the loss of innocent life.

Hon. Bill Blair, P.C., M.P., Minister of National Defence: Thank you very much, Senator Marshall.

I would point out, senator, that I was recently appointed to this position. Although I work closely with my predecessor, Minister Anand — and I continue to work very closely with her — upon my arrival into that portfolio, I undertook a comprehensive review. I had previously seen some of the planning that had gone into the Strong, Secure, Engaged defence policy update in a different capacity — I was the chair of the security committee for cabinet. However, having gone in there, I have been working very closely with the Department of National Defence, the Treasury Board and our government in determining the right way forward. There have been some changing circumstances. There has also been extensive consultation with not just the Canadian Armed Forces, but also with industry. I have been meeting with them as well because, in many respects, the defence policy update is also industrial policy — it’s not just defence policy in my opinion — so I have been engaging with them as well.

I understand the importance of coming forward with that defence policy update. We are working on it very diligently, and I hope to have good news about that in the not-too-distant future.

Hon. Bill Blair, P.C., M.P., Minister of National Defence: Thank you very much, senator.

First of all, let me acknowledge your initial comments. I believe those commemorations are important. It is important that we honour our history. I think the Canadian Armed Forces has a long and proud history with the incredible work they have done, and the service and sacrifice of their members. That history needs to not only be commemorated, but it is also a great opportunity, I think, to encourage young people — the talent that we need in the Canadian Armed Forces — to consider a career in the Canadian Armed Forces. I believe it is a very proud and noble profession, and we need to promote that.

There is a real challenge, sir — as I’m sure you are aware — in the Canadian Armed Forces. Over the last three years, we’ve actually seen a greater attrition — more people are leaving the forces than the Canadian Armed Forces has been able to recruit. I think that may be the greatest challenge that I face as the new defence minister — doing everything I can to support the Canadian Armed Forces in their efforts to recruit the talent we need and, just as importantly, to retain the excellent people they already have. I have asked them to look very carefully at some of the impediments to recruitment and how long things have taken — background checks, for example.

I’ll give you an example: Last year, in December 2022, my predecessor announced that we were going to open up Canadian Armed Forces recruitment to permanent residents of Canada. I think it’s a very appropriate and necessary opportunity. What we have not yet seen is a commensurate increase in the number of people. Almost 12,000 people indicated an interest. We need to move faster in our recruitment and onboarding processes.

Hon. Bill Blair, P.C., M.P., Minister of National Defence: It is an important question. It occupies much of our current thinking right now.

The replacement of the multi-mission aircraft is a priority. The current fleet of CP-140s that are in service is coming to the end of their effective life. Although the crews we have flying them are among the best in the world, we have to make sure they have the right platform to do their important work.

Those aircraft perform a very important function for submarine detection and in search and rescue across the North. As I said, they are multi-mission.

As of this moment, senator, the decision has not been made. The statements that you referenced that we have heard with respect to the evaluation of one of those aircraft is accurate, and that information has been shared. I’ve also been meeting with other representatives in the aeronautics industry. It is an important decision that needs to be made in a timely way. That work is urgently ongoing. When that decision is made, we’ll be able to announce it. I’m not prepared to announce it today.

Senator D. Patterson: Arctic sovereignty and security are top of mind for many Canadians who are focused on Arctic policy. We have seen that in the questions asked today. Our ally the United States is closely watching how we move on the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, modernization file. I’m aware of your government’s multi-point plan on how to proceed, but there is a need to get going now on procurement. Our forward operating location, or FOL, hangars in the North are now too small to accommodate the F-35s your government is committed to buying, and the airstrips in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Nunavik need to be lengthened for F-35s.

Like many of us, I would like to know how much of the promised $38.6 billion has your government spent to date, and how many contracts have you successfully tendered?

I’ve travelled to the region myself; I have been there with you. One thing I heard clearly is that sovereignty is more than just a plane flying over or a ship sailing past. It really is investments in multi-use infrastructure that not only benefits the local community but also helps support the local community because they support our work in the Canadian Armed Forces to provide that presence and sovereignty —

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