QUESTION PERIOD — National Defence
Aircraft Procurement
November 21, 2023
My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Leader, we have learned in recent weeks that your government intends to replace the CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft. Instead of issuing a call for tenders to ensure proper competition and obtain bids from Canadian companies, including Bombardier, your government has decided to negotiate a sole-source contract with Boeing, an American company. How do you explain that to Canadian aviation workers?
The Government of Canada and all governments have a great deal of respect for the airline industry in Canada and have given it significant support over the years. I have been informed that a final decision is yet to be made. The Government of Canada has already made it very clear that an important aspect of any future decision is to ensure that there are benefits for the Canadian economy, but also to ensure that our defence system is well protected through aircraft procurement. That remains a priority for this government.
This government is rather special. Usually, when a “willing buyer, willing seller” approach is taken, it is to support Canadian companies, not the competition. What is even more serious is that we also learned from a senior official who testified in committee recently that the government based its decision to support Boeing on the advice of a consultant from the American consulting firm Avascent. Don’t you think that’s a bit ridiculous?
It’s not ridiculous that the Government of Canada is focusing on the needs of our armed forces so that they can better protect us.
