Hub Podcasts What is the price of Canadian sovereignty?
Aug 25, 2025
Patrick Lennox, a former public servant involved in Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy, joins to discuss the intricacies of Canadian sovereignty. He scrutinizes the impact of defense procurement on national interests, arguing for stronger domestic capabilities. The conversation explores the ideological roots of Canadian identity and the tension between liberalism and conservatism. Lennox also highlights the need to reassess procurement practices, urging a shift away from foreign dependency towards enhancing local industry for economic independence.
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National Shipbuilding As Sovereignty Investment
- The National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) prioritized building continuous domestic shipbuilding capacity over short-term cost savings.
- That steady program aims to produce up to 60 vessels and sustain skilled jobs and industrial capability.
First Ships Have Predictable Teething Problems
- Early production problems with first-of-class ships are normal and can be resolved across subsequent vessels.
- Patience yields faster builds and fewer defects as lessons are applied to the rest of the fleet.
Value-For-Money Has Hidden National Risks
- Critics focus on cost and schedule but often ignore the broader security and economic trade-offs of offshoring.
- Value-for-money can create vulnerabilities when lowest-cost suppliers have adversarial ties or economic coercion risks.
