I wonder Noah and this may be an unfair question , but did you get the sense in Ottawa that folks there “ get it”. That things have changed and it’s time to get serious about Defending Canada as opposed to the last fifty years of social justice obsession.
I truly think some folks in Ottawa do not have the inclination ,spirit or intent to deliver the defence commitment we now need. Ottawa is cold but very comfortable for those that know how to thrive there .
There is a lot of gope in the current enviornment and with that there is a sense of duty to ensure that things go right. There is an acknowledgement that we need to take the risks, that the current system can not sustain itself much longer.
It is better to try and fail than to do nothing and rot, and that is what many peoppe see. There is a lot of young , fresh blood and minds working in places like ISED, DND, etc with a mandate to get things done, and a government that is being supportive in grtting there.
There are also many who for many years felt very hopeless about everything that are now feeling invigorated at the chance to make meaningful change.
Make no mistake, things have changed, and people are axknowledging it. They understand that there is a duty, because now the government is demanding results, and demanding them very quickly. The pressure is there, and with that there are peoppe who have been waiting to step up.
I wont say im hopeful for everything, but everyone I met across industry, DND, and CAF were excited and ready to put in the effort. They want do something greater than themselves and leave something to be proud of. I did not meet one person who wasnt prepared to do more, prepared to struggle to get things done.
People want change. They want a better system. They now have the mandate to try.
I can only speak for myself, but the answer is emphatically yes, they get it.
I lived in Ottawa for a while, and will return there eventually. when I was back a few weeks ago and spent a lot of time asking my friends from a variety of government departments if they felt things were different under Carney than Trudeau; and all them, universally, agreed that the tone and tempo inside is radically different. Speed is again of essence, no doing study, on study, on meeting, analysis, etc. Make a decision and go.
Ironically I had a meeting with a senior official in the defence community earlier yesterday and he had said that the past 9 months had been the best of his very long career; it was the first time that he felt that the “halls of power” actually “get it”, and are thinking strategically, like actually strategically. They view defence as THE primary driver and tool for both economic development and political diversification, AND are utterly convinced of the need for a strong military that can act on its own. Belief in the words of Carney’s speech goes well beyond the PM, and most who aren’t on that line of thinking have been quietly shuffled to a different portfolio or retired.
Jenna would be interesting. My natural assumption has always been that the SOS-DP position was more of a holdong place for Stephen to get back into government and prep him for a good year or so. That and of course there was a deaire for a second person on the defence file with the DIA and DIS.
Now certainly I could be wrong, and we could see the position remain in for the long haul, but my personal expectation is its a 50/50 tossup.
I hope Fuhr stays in procurement, I get it that it’s not as prestigious as a full ministerial role but it is soooo important and he can make such a huge difference there. We need continuity.
Marc Miller in defence makes sense to me now that he has been rehabilitated. He is intelligent and generally well respected. Most importantly he is a good communicator and would be able to help support/sell the additional investments and move away from American dependence we need. He does have some military experience in the Reserves as an infantry officer.
I can’t see where Joly would move so would be surprised if there was a change there, she has actually surprised me by not being a total disaster, but who knows?
I wonder Noah and this may be an unfair question , but did you get the sense in Ottawa that folks there “ get it”. That things have changed and it’s time to get serious about Defending Canada as opposed to the last fifty years of social justice obsession.
I truly think some folks in Ottawa do not have the inclination ,spirit or intent to deliver the defence commitment we now need. Ottawa is cold but very comfortable for those that know how to thrive there .
There is a lot of gope in the current enviornment and with that there is a sense of duty to ensure that things go right. There is an acknowledgement that we need to take the risks, that the current system can not sustain itself much longer.
It is better to try and fail than to do nothing and rot, and that is what many peoppe see. There is a lot of young , fresh blood and minds working in places like ISED, DND, etc with a mandate to get things done, and a government that is being supportive in grtting there.
There are also many who for many years felt very hopeless about everything that are now feeling invigorated at the chance to make meaningful change.
Make no mistake, things have changed, and people are axknowledging it. They understand that there is a duty, because now the government is demanding results, and demanding them very quickly. The pressure is there, and with that there are peoppe who have been waiting to step up.
I wont say im hopeful for everything, but everyone I met across industry, DND, and CAF were excited and ready to put in the effort. They want do something greater than themselves and leave something to be proud of. I did not meet one person who wasnt prepared to do more, prepared to struggle to get things done.
People want change. They want a better system. They now have the mandate to try.
I can only speak for myself, but the answer is emphatically yes, they get it.
I lived in Ottawa for a while, and will return there eventually. when I was back a few weeks ago and spent a lot of time asking my friends from a variety of government departments if they felt things were different under Carney than Trudeau; and all them, universally, agreed that the tone and tempo inside is radically different. Speed is again of essence, no doing study, on study, on meeting, analysis, etc. Make a decision and go.
Ironically I had a meeting with a senior official in the defence community earlier yesterday and he had said that the past 9 months had been the best of his very long career; it was the first time that he felt that the “halls of power” actually “get it”, and are thinking strategically, like actually strategically. They view defence as THE primary driver and tool for both economic development and political diversification, AND are utterly convinced of the need for a strong military that can act on its own. Belief in the words of Carney’s speech goes well beyond the PM, and most who aren’t on that line of thinking have been quietly shuffled to a different portfolio or retired.
Great news from the coal face as it were. Thank you.
Oh, fun speculation: a C.D.Howe for our time!
Stephen certainly has done the industrial engagement work over the past 9 months or so.
How about Jenna Sudds as his successor as SecState Defence Procurement if that role survives?
Don't spend too much time at Darcy Mc'Gee's - but keep the gossip coming!
Jenna would be interesting. My natural assumption has always been that the SOS-DP position was more of a holdong place for Stephen to get back into government and prep him for a good year or so. That and of course there was a deaire for a second person on the defence file with the DIA and DIS.
Now certainly I could be wrong, and we could see the position remain in for the long haul, but my personal expectation is its a 50/50 tossup.
I hope Fuhr stays in procurement, I get it that it’s not as prestigious as a full ministerial role but it is soooo important and he can make such a huge difference there. We need continuity.
Marc Miller in defence makes sense to me now that he has been rehabilitated. He is intelligent and generally well respected. Most importantly he is a good communicator and would be able to help support/sell the additional investments and move away from American dependence we need. He does have some military experience in the Reserves as an infantry officer.
I can’t see where Joly would move so would be surprised if there was a change there, she has actually surprised me by not being a total disaster, but who knows?
Good question. Take a shot at it Noah.
Keep up the great work
You've probably seen
https://www.ipolitics.ca/2026/02/06/fuhr-says-canadas-defence-investments-could-bring-back-much-needed-manufacturing-jobs/