Latest news with #OttawaCitizen
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadian Army looks to spend more than $6 billion on new howitzers and rockets
The Canadian Army is looking at spending more than $6 billion for new self-propelled howitzers and ground-based long-range rockets, according to briefings provided to defence industry representatives. The Indirect Fires Modernization program, expected to cost more than $5 billion, will see the acquisition of self-propelled 155-mm artillery, ammunition as well as new mortar systems, according to a Canadian Army briefing for industry presented April 8 in Ottawa. Information about such equipment was requested from industry, which had until April 2 to provide details about their systems, according to a request-for-information document issued by the Canadian government. The program would include fire control software and investments in new infrastructure at military bases, including Garrison Petawawa, the request noted. A project funding proposal is currently being prepared for the Liberal government, according to the April 8 army briefing. The second program is for a new land-based long-range missile system. The initial cost estimate for that is more than $1 billion but the price tag could be higher depending on how many rockets are ordered. The Ottawa Citizen reported in March that Canada's military leadership was pushing for a sole source deal for the U.S.-built High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARS. The plan that had been proposed by the Canadian Forces senior leadership would see the purchase of a number of HIMARS built by Lockheed Martin. But that acquisition has been questioned by some in the defence industry, especially considering the economic and sovereignty threats made against Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump. Another problem is that orders of U.S. HIMARS are significantly backlogged and it is unclear whether Canada could get any quick delivery of such systems. A total of 26 launchers are needed, according to the April 8 Canadian Army briefing to industry. South Korean defence giant Hanwha is currently pitching Canada on both the high mobility artillery rocket systems and the self-propelled artillery program. The company has hot production lines which are currently building the equipment for a number of nations. It has delivered its K9 self-propelled howitzer to 10 countries so far, including six NATO members. In addition, Polish soldiers are currently undergoing training on the Chunmoo high mobility rocket systems which were purchased to counter Russian aggression. The focus for Hanwha is not only on partnering with Canadian firms but delivering high technology quickly, Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Global Defence, said in an interview Tuesday. Technology transfer allows Canada to make sure it has sovereign control over its military equipment, a particular area of concern for a number of nations considering some of the issues that have emerged with U.S. equipment. 'We can delivery very quickly on time to make a difference for the military and the politicians for sovereign capabilities,' Coulter said. The K9 self-propelled howitzers and the accompanying K10 ammunition resupply vehicles can be delivered in 12 months once a contract is signed. Chunmoo systems would arrive within 24 months. In addition, the systems are interoperable with U.S. equipment. Coulter noted the U.S. military has expressed an interest in seeing the K9 tested for its forces. Coulter said Hanwha already has 10 agreements in place to work with Canadian companies and more such arrangements are expected to be announced at the CANSEC military trade show which takes place in Ottawa on May 28 and 29. The Liberal government has also stated it will purchase up to 12 new submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy. Hanwha is offering its KSS-III submarine for that program. If the contract was signed in 2026 the first submarine could be delivered by 2032, according to company officials. The South Korean submarines, three of which are already built, can operate underwater for more than three weeks, without having to surface. In addition, the boats have a range of more than 7,000 nautical miles. Both capabilities would make them valuable for Arctic operations, company officials say. Maintenance facilities would be established in Canada, and unlike with U.S. weapon systems, the South Koreans would provide Canada with total access to the onboard technology. South Korea developed its own robust defence industry after being hit by rising prices and unreasonable demands linked to U.S.-produced equipment. David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: Canadian Forces pushing for sole source deal for U.S. weapons as Trump continues attacks on Canada South Korea wants to sell submarines to Canada as relations sour with U.S.
Ottawa Citizen
20 hours ago
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Canadian Army looks to spend more than $6 billion on new howitzers and rockets
The South Korean firm Hanwha hopes the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer will be selected for the upcoming program to equip the Canadian Army with new artillery. Photo by Hanwha The Canadian Army is looking at spending more than $6 billion for new self-propelled howitzers and ground-based long-range rockets, according to briefings provided to defence industry representatives. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The Indirect Fires Modernization program, expected to cost more than $5 billion, will see the acquisition of self-propelled 155-mm artillery, ammunition as well as new mortar systems, according to a Canadian Army briefing for industry presented April 8 in Ottawa. Information about such equipment was requested from industry, which had until April 2 to provide details about their systems, according to a request-for-information document issued by the Canadian government. The program would include fire control software and investments in new infrastructure at military bases, including Garrison Petawawa, the request noted. A project funding proposal is currently being prepared for the Liberal government, according to the April 8 army briefing. The second program is for a new land-based long-range missile system. The initial cost estimate for that is more than $1 billion but the price tag could be higher depending on how many rockets are ordered. The Ottawa Citizen reported in March that Canada's military leadership was pushing for a sole source deal for the U.S.-built High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARS. The plan that had been proposed by the Canadian Forces senior leadership would see the purchase of a number of HIMARS built by Lockheed Martin. But that acquisition has been questioned by some in the defence industry, especially considering the economic and sovereignty threats made against Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump. Another problem is that orders of U.S. HIMARS are significantly backlogged and it is unclear whether Canada could get any quick delivery of such systems. A total of 26 launchers are needed, according to the April 8 Canadian Army briefing to industry. Hanwha is supplying the Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher System to Poland. It hopes to convince Canada to purchase the same system. Photo submitted by Hanwha Photo by Hanwha South Korean defence giant Hanwha is currently pitching Canada on both the high mobility artillery rocket systems and the self-propelled artillery program. The company has hot production lines which are currently building the equipment for a number of nations. It has delivered its K9 self-propelled howitzer to 10 countries so far, including six NATO members.
Ottawa Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
What Indigenous leaders told King Charles in Ottawa
Article content Chief Billy Joel Tuccaro, of Mikisew Cree First Nation in Northern Alberta, was alarmed about what he heard in the speech. He said it's been a rocky relationship with the Crown since his nation signed Treaty 8 in 1899. Article content The fast-tracking of projects is another example of 'lip service' to the treaty, he told the Ottawa Citizen. Article content Tuccaro's First Nation sits downstream from the Alberta oil sands. In a press conference in Ottawa alongside chiefs from across the western provinces on May 27, Tuccaro said that his community has suffered through high cancer rates due to pollution coming from the oil sands. Article content Last year, the federal government announced a $12-million health study into the accumulation of toxins in the region, something the local community has been requesting for years, Tuccaro said. Article content 'I can say this among the chiefs we all have different agendas, but one thing we have in common is the treaty, and we must fight for that for the future generations to come,' he said at the press conference. Article content Article content Tuccaro also spoke about his work fighting Alberta separatism, which he said poses a risk to the treaty relationship between First Nations and Canada. Article content Article content 'They tried this in Quebec and it was the First Nations people that squashed this, and once again, it will be the First Nations people [that] squash this separatist movement,' he said. Article content Chief David Monias, of Pimicikamak Okimawin in Manitoba, who visited Ottawa during wildfire evacuations in his home community, spoke about the importance of including First Nations in decision making and resource development. Article content 'We were sovereign. We still are sovereign. And you have to respect that we enter these treaties to make sure that we share land, we share resources, and therefore Canada, who's the colonial state, must share revenue as well,' he said.
Ottawa Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
ESDC to track individual workers' sign-in location to enforce return-to-office rules
Article content The largest department in the core public service will begin producing reports on whether individual employees are signing in from the office beginning in July. Article content Article content The new initiative deepens the data collection and surveillance of employees at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), as the department pushes to meet return-to-office directives. Article content Article content The department was formerly producing aggregate data reports from a 'roll up of all login data,' ESDC spokesperson Maja Stefanovska said in an email. The department will now provide information at an individual employee level. Article content The so-called 'low on-site connectivity reports' will be compiled with employee log-in data, approved leave and employee work arrangement information. The data will also reflect statutory holidays to make sure it doesn't overcount the days employees aren't in the office. Article content Stefanovska said ESDC 'will begin producing a Low Onsite Connectivity Report that will support managers and direct supervisors, including those with large and geographically dispersed teams better understand whether all employees are fully meeting the expectations of ESDC's common hybrid work model policies.' Article content The department defines low-connectivity as an 'individual's low connection to ESDC's network in the office as per their hybrid work arrangement.' Article content Article content Workers inside the department were told of the new reports last week. Data for the July report will be collected from June 2 to June 29. Article content Article content These reports will be sent to supervisors and managers who may follow up with their staff to ask why they fell short of the requirement that they be in the office for three days a week. If the supervisor finds that there is no justification for low onsite connectivity then 'employees may face administrative and/or disciplinary action.' Article content ESDC told the Ottawa Citizen that the department has 'consulted key stakeholders such as they Office of the Privacy Commissioner and completed Privacy Impact Assessment's to ensure that the information gathered respects employee privacy.' Article content Since September 2024, many public servants have been required to work in the office for three days a week. Executives must be in the office for at least four days a week. At the end of that month, only 73 per cent of employees were compliant with the new rules, according to documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen through an access-to-information request.
Ottawa Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
ESDC to track individual workers' sign in location to enforce return-to-office rules
The largest department in the core public service will begin producing reports on whether individual employees are signing in from the office beginning in July. Article content Article content The new initiative deepens the data collection and surveillance of employees at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), as the department pushes to meet return-to-office directives. Article content Article content The department was formerly producing aggregate data reports from a 'roll up of all login data,' ESDC spokesperson Maja Stefanovska said in an email. The department will now provide information at an individual employee level. Article content The so-called 'low on-site connectivity reports' will be compiled with employee log-in data, approved leave and employee work arrangement information. The data will also reflect statutory holidays to make sure it doesn't overcount the days employees aren't in the office. Article content Stefanovska said ESDC 'will begin producing a Low Onsite Connectivity Report that will support managers and direct supervisors, including those with large and geographically dispersed teams better understand whether all employees are fully meeting the expectations of ESDC's common hybrid work model policies.' Article content The department defines low-connectivity as an 'individual's low connection to ESDC's network in the office as per their hybrid work arrangement.' Article content Article content Workers inside the department were told of the new reports last week. Data for the July report will be collected from June 2 to June 29. Article content Article content These reports will be sent to supervisors and managers who may follow up with their staff to ask why they fell short of the requirement that they be in the office for three days a week. If the supervisor finds that there is no justification for low onsite connectivity then 'employees may face administrative and/or disciplinary action.' Article content ESDC told the Ottawa Citizen that the department has 'consulted key stakeholders such as they Office of the Privacy Commissioner and completed Privacy Impact Assessment's to ensure that the information gathered respects employee privacy.' Article content Since September 2024, many public servants have been required to work in the office for three days a week. Executives must be in the office for at least four days a week. At the end of that month, only 73 per cent of employees were compliant with the new rules, according to documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen through an access-to-information request.
