E editor’s note EDITOR Chris Thatcher editorvanguard@netgov.ca
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Recent revelations that the Parliamentary Budget Office has turned its attention to the government’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy will undoubtedly ruffle a few feathers – its recommendations for the F-35 program certainly did. Since last fall when the government announced it had selected two shipyards with which to begin negotiations to build navy and coast guard vessels, the process itself has been widely praised. Rona Ambrose, the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, was but one of several speakers to hold up the NSPS as an example of better defence procurement practice at this year’s CANSEC event. And officials from PWGSC, including ADM Tom Ring in these very pages, have delivered presentations on the success of the process. There is even a well-scripted video featuring words of praise from the shipyards. And there is no question that the use of third parties like FMI, KPMG and a fairness monitor all helped to keep the process transparent and fair. And for those reasons, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program has been placed on a similar track, though one suspects at this point the government might be mixing apples with oranges following the recent re-issue of a tender for an independent auditor to verify the defence department’s figures. But even many of those government officials praising the NSPS have urged some caution, noting these are just the first steps in a very long process to delivering new ships. Those words are worth heeding as rising materiel costs to build these ships threaten the government’s budget. Perhaps Rear Admiral Mark Norman captured it best. In a presentation to the Navy Association of Canada in June – adapted to an article for this issue – he compared the process to finally being allowed to play your favourite PGA course. Driving that ball off the first tee is an exhilarating feeling, what the navy is describing as an unprecedented opportunity. “The good news is at least we’re on the fairway – which for me is a new and strange feeling – but let’s not forget that there are 17 more holes ahead of us,” he said. In my limited golf experience, I’ve learned more than once that a great shot off the first tee has little bearing on the ultimate outcome of the round. As much as I might hope, it is rarely a sign of good things to come. Thankfully, industry builds ships far better than I golf. Nonetheless, for the sake of the navy, measured but steady progress is critical.
9.5 in. Live
SALES VICE PRESIDENT PUBLIC SECTOR SALES Terri Pavelic (905) 727-4091 ext. 225 terrip@netgov.ca
10-7/8 in. Trim
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD LGen (Ret’d) Bill Leach LGen (Ret’d) George Macdonald VAdm (Ret’d) Greg Maddison LGen (Ret’d) Michel Maisonneuve
Off the first tee and on the fairway
11-1/8 in. Bleed
CONTRIBUTORS Mark Norman Andrew Murdoch Walker Carol Dobson Andrew Warden Jes Ellacott Bruce Jackson Mike Minor Roy Thomas Stefan Dubowski
Chris Thatcher, Editor 4 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012
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