In fact, as a result of staff cuts that came when the air force contracted out pilot training and helicopter maintenance, “there is no staff capacity to support” work done on some projects in the options analysis phase, the note says.



The briefing note, obtained under access to information laws, says the air force’s ability to get procurement projects off the ground “is significantly limited by the human resources availability.”

“Human resource deficiencies are being encountered with Project Director staff, the availability of Project Management staff, and the limitation caused by central costing staff,” the note reads. “The use of short term contractors is small mitigation to the requirement for skilled military and public service staff.”

The air force and the government have faced criticism recently for failing to buy equipment on-time, which in turn costs taxpayers more money because of delay charges and added maintenance on aging fleets. In June, Canada finally received the first replacements for its 50-year-old fleet of Sea King helicopters in a procurement that spanned decades.



The briefing note says the staffing problem is exacerbated by the “increasing the scope of work that needs to be completed” before a project can get approval. The added workload comes as a result of recent changes to Canada’s procurement process, the note says.

Apparently in response, the University of Ottawa has begun offering courses on procurement tailored to defence employees.

The briefing note, which provided Blondin with a proposed funding breakdown, also says the projects are facing funding shortfalls.

Despite asking for $3,520,900 to fund the analysis of 12 projects, the projects received $2,452,850 — a difference of more than $1 million.