Rethinking Defence Contracting for Canada's Next Decade

This white paper examines the evolving context of Canada's defence ecosystem, highlighting the significant changes that have occurred over the past decade. It outlines the increased geopolitical competition, the return of state-on-state conflict, and the growing expectations for Arctic sovereignty and domestic response capabilities. The paper details the modern demands on defence programs, which now require speed, interoperability, secure sovereign capability, and long-term value amidst uncertainty. It discusses the limitations of existing defence contracting models that prioritize predictability and control, which are often ill-suited for the dynamic nature of contemporary defence challenges. The paper emphasizes the need for a reframing of contracting approaches to focus on outcomes, adaptability, and shared accountability. It concludes by stressing the importance of evolving contracting structures to ensure that Canada can effectively deliver resilient and interoperable defence capabilities in the face of ongoing strategic uncertainties and technological advancements.