Procurement Snafus and the Defense Investment Agency

Mark Carney is busy trying to Trump-proof Canada with a flurry of trade deals and whispers of a mega anti-Trump alliance linking Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Trade researcher Stuart Trew joins host Noor Azrieh to argue that more free trade isn’t a master plan; it’s diminishing returns with nicer branding.

Plus, Ottawa reporter Sam Konnert breaks down Canada’s newly released Defence Industrial Strategy: 70% Canadian content, massive growth targets, and a promise to rebuild both the military and the domestic defence industry at the same time. The catch? Canada’s notoriously slow procurement system, and big questions about bureaucracy, “maple-washing,” and whether Ottawa can actually move at the speed it’s promising.

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Mia Johnson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Stuart Trew

Background reading:

• Carney constructs a mega anti-Trump trade alliance – POLITICO
• Trump forces a rewrite of Canada’s trade strategy – POLITICO
• John Ivison: Canada's pivot to Europe for trade gains traction as Trump loses momentum – National Post
• Deconstructing the Defence Industrial Strategy - Philippe Lagassé’s Substack
• U.S. Supreme Court decision on Trump's tariffs could bring more trade uncertainty to Canada – CBC News
• Canada’s defence industrial policy would rather Buy Canadian than Buy the Best  – The Globe and Mail
• Canada’s New Defence Strategy Is Bold and Unprecedented. Will It Work? – The Walrus

Sponsors: 

Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadaland

Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features. Activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

Did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show?

On the next episode of Off The Record, we’re asking you - what’s a rabbit hole you dove into or just know a lot about, because of something you saw in the news or online? Was it a conspiracy? Wellness? Crypto? Culture war issues? What pulled you in? And are you still down there???

Call in and let us know on Feb 26th - That’s THIS Thursday - from 4:30pm to 6:30pm EST by going to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dialing in at 888-401-7056 when the time comes, so mark your calendars!

You can listen to these amazing, supporter-exclusive episodes for cheap RIGHT NOW by going to canadaland.com/join. You’ll get 70% off your membership for a limited time.

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.