On Oct. 2, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government revealed its long-awaited Defence Investment Agency (DIA). This new Agency has been established in hopes of streamlining the process of how the Canadian military receives their equipment.
Currently, Canada depends largely on the United States for military equipment, and the DIA aims to diversify where Canada is purchasing products from. It also aims to strengthen Canada’s defence hardware and the volume of it.
The DIA was first promised by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his campaign in the 2019 federal election. The Agency will be headed by Doug Guzman, the former RBC deputy chair.
The Government of Canada website outlines several focuses and desired outcomes of the DIA including clearer requirements for procurement, and accelerated procurement processes which will be done by removing red tape and duplicated approvals.
In a written statement, Carney expressed the need for a sped-up system.
“In a dangerous and divided world, Canada’s new government is ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces get the equipment they need, when they need it.”
