Category: Canada

For Immediate Release

National Defence Puts U.S. Navy Technology to Work Protecting Canada and Its Allies

August 26, 2016 – Gatineau, Que.

The Government is dedicated to building a more agile, better-equipped military, while ensuring the best value for Canadians.

The Government of Canada announced today that it is buying an existing unmanned aerial surveillance system, through a government-to-government contractual arrangement (U.S. Foreign Military Sales program) with the U.S. Government. The contract, which is valued at US$14.2 million, includes initial training.

The RQ-21A Blackjack is a small unmanned aircraft that will provide the Canadian Army with persistent, real-time intelligence through aerial surveillance and reconnaissance. It is a critical component of the Land Force Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance program. The system will be used for surveillance purposes only and will offer imagery and communication capabilities to help give soldiers an operational advantage in all environments. It will allow Army commanders to immediately identify threats, to take time sensitive decisions, and to respond quickly.

Canada is the first foreign military to acquire the system from the U.S. Navy. The system includes five unmanned aircraft, two ground control stations and one launch and recovery system. Each aircraft is capable of providing surveillance coverage of over 100 km for over 12 hours.

The Blackjack is produced by Boeing Insitu, based in Bingen, Washington. Once delivered to the Canadian Army in 2017, the system will be based out of Canadian Forces Base Gagetown and operated by the 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support).

Quotes

“Buying innovative and proven defence technology directly from our allies is just one of the many ways in which the Government of Canada is able to deliver the right equipment to the Canadian Armed Forces at the best value for Canadians.”

The Honourable Judy M. Foote
Minister of Public Services and Procurement

“The Blackjack aerial surveillance system will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with modern, sophisticated technology that will give commanders the situational awareness they need to conduct missions effectively. We are pleased to work cooperatively with the U.S. government and the U.S. Navy to bring this leading-edge technology to Canada.”

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan
Minister of National Defence

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Armed Forces requires rapid access to relevant information about the environment in civil or military situations, and only a family of unmanned aircraft vehicles can meet the diverse intelligence demands of a modern battlefield.
• The RQ-21A Blackjack is a runway independent system that can carry multiple payloads, which makes it a flexible, multi-mission platform that could be used on foreign operations, and that could be called upon by the government to support domestic operations such as a G8 Summit or even a natural disaster.
• The system was procured through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program with the U.S. Government.

Associated Links

Canadian Army Links

Canadian Army website
Canadian Army Facebook
Canadian Army Twitter
Canadian Army YouTube
Canadian Army Flickr

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Contacts

Annie Trépanier
Office of the Honourable Judy M. Foote
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501
media@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

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For immediate release

HAMILTON, Ontario, August 25, 2016 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise all users of overnight closures on the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge from August 29 to September 1, 2016.

The bridge is scheduled to be closed overnight to vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the following periods:

• from Monday, August 29, at 8 pm to Tuesday, August 30, at 5 am
• from Tuesday, August 30, at 8 pm to Wednesday, August 31, at 5 am
• from Wednesday, August 31, at 8 pm to Thursday, September 1, at 5 am

Please note that rush hour and marine traffic will not be affected.

This schedule may change due to weather conditions or logistical requirements. PSPC will publish notices regarding any changes in schedule.

The closures are required as part of the project to replace the bridge’s controls, drives and cables. The replacement of key components of the bridge’s lift system will extend its serviceable life, meeting the needs of both marine and vehicular traffic in the area.

Safety is a top priority for PSPC during this project, and the Department thanks users for their patience.

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For inquiries related to the project, contact:
Karen Durnford-McIntosh
Regional Manager, Real Property, Professional and Technical Services
613-453-3246

INFORMATION:

Media Relations Unit
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501

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For immediate release

OTTAWA, Ontario, August 23, 2016 – Members of the media are invited to an update on the steps taken to address issues with the Phoenix pay system.

Date:  August 24, 2016

Time:  11 a.m. (EDT)

Location:
National Press Theatre
150 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario

Senior officials will deliver remarks and be available for questions.

Notes to editor / news director:

Media wishing to participate in the technical briefing by teleconference must:

• Register with Public Services and Procurement Canada’s Media Relations Office at 819-420-5501. The phone number for joining the teleconference will be provided upon registration.
• Cameras are permitted.

Information:

Media Relations
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501
media@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

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For immediate release

HAMILTON, Ontario, August 19, 2016 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise all users of restricted access to the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge from August 15 to 26, 2016.

During these dates, the following restrictions will be in place for pedestrians and cyclists Monday through Friday between 7 am and 5 pm:

• from August 15 to 26, the north and south pedestrian underpasses will be closed
• from August 15 to 19, access to the east (lakeside) part of the Waterfront Trail will be closed
• from August 22 to 26, access to the west (bayside) part of the Waterfront Trail will be closed
• from August 22 to 26, the west (bayside) bridge sidewalk will be closed

The bridge is scheduled to be closed overnight to vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the following periods:

• from Friday, August 19, at 8 pm to Saturday, August 20, at 5 am
• from Saturday, August 20, at 8 pm to Sunday, August 21, at 5 am
• from Sunday, August 21, at 8 pm to Monday, August 22, at 5 am

Further overnight closures may be required at the end of August.

This schedule may change due to weather conditions or logistical requirements. PSPC will publish notices regarding any changes in schedule.

The closures are required as part of the project to replace the bridge’s controls, drives and cables. The replacement of key components of the bridge’s lift system will extend its serviceable life, meeting the needs of both marine and vehicular traffic in the area.

Safety is a top priority for PSPC during this project, and the Department thanks users for their patience.

For inquiries related to the project, contact:
Karen Durnford-McIntosh
Regional Manager, Real Property, Professional and Technical Services
613-453-3246

Media inquiries should be directed to:
Media Relations, Ontario Region, PSPC
416-512-5550

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INFORMATION:

Media Relations Unit
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501

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For Immediate Release

Tour the building and have your say on the future public use of #100Wellington

August 16, 2016 – Ottawa, ON

Canadians from coast to coast to coast are invited to offer their input and ideas as we look to find a new public use for 100 Wellington, an important heritage building facing Parliament Hill.

The Honorable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement will launch a public consultation on the future public use of this building on Thursday, August 18, during an information session in Ottawa.

The public information session will take place at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building, located at 144 Wellington Street in Ottawa, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for security screening; photo I.D. required. The event will also be streamed online via Facebook Live.

Canadians will be able to indicate their preference for six potential uses for the building or propose their own ideas on how to best transform this building into a key Canadian institution.

The results of the consultation will be made public and will contribute to the decision on how to re develop this significant heritage building. The results will also inform the broader strategy of restoring and modernizing the Parliamentary Precinct.

Open house

Immediately before the public consultation, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the 100 Wellington building will open its doors to the public. Visitors will be able to stroll through the building’s first and second floors and envision what type of experience they want to have in this building.

Quote

“We want to hear the views of Canadians from coast to coast to coast on how to transform this important heritage building into a Canadian institution for all to enjoy. Help us re-develop 100 Wellington for use by the public.”

The Honourable Judy M. Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement

“Let’s transform 100 Wellington from an address into a destination for people in the National Capital Region, all Canadians and international visitors alike. Join me on August 18th in Ottawa or online to share your views and help turn 100 Wellington into a destination!”

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, MP

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada wants feedback on the best future public use of 100 Wellington, a prominent heritage building located directly across from Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
• The public information session will take place at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building, located at 144 Wellington Street in Ottawa, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event will also be streamed online via Facebook Live.
• Participants wishing to attend the event in person are encouraged to arrive 45 minutes to an hour before the start of the event, as a security screening will be required to enter the building. Photo I.D. required.
• The online survey will be available at www.canada.ca/100WellingtonStreet from August 18 to September 9, 2016.
• Tweet using #100Wellington

Associated Links

Consultations on the future public use of 100 Wellington

Former U.S. Embassy Building (100 Wellington); History and Architecture

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Contacts

Annie Trépanier
Office of the Honourable Judy M. Foote
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501
media@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on Facebook.