The Canadian Defence Industry in the New Global Environment

David A. Lenarcic teaches history at Wilfrid Laurier University in
Waterloo.

This compact book examines Canada’s defence industrial base and its
ability to adapt to the sources of change currently affecting it. The
authors argue convincingly that both the international and domestic
contexts that influence the defence-procurement process in Canada must
be appreciated in order to come to a full understanding of the
constraints and opportunities facing the Canadian defence industry.
Accordingly, they describe and analyze the impact of such factors as the
post–Cold War political-security environment, as well as the nature
and evolution of transatlantic defence economic relations and corporate
strategies, before addressing certain domestic political and economic
realities in Canada. Their solid discussion of the Canadian defence
industry includes a review of government and corporate responses to
growing interdependence—and protectionism—in the international
defence market. What emerges is a distressing portrait of an
export-driven Canadian defence industry hamstrung by internal handicaps,
such as a shrinking defence budget and the need to provide regional
industrial benefits, and confronted by an increasingly competitive
search for business amid reduced markets.

The authors’ arguments are well substantiated by interviews at both
the governmental and corporate levels, and firmly grounded in a thorough
understanding of the relevant literature. Their book sheds much light on
an important and topical issue that deserves more public debate among
average Canadians. Unfortunately, it is primarily aimed at academics,
politicians, bureaucrats, and businesspeople rather than at a general
audience.