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From major naval projects to fighter jets, Rear-Admiral (Ret) Simon Page has been at the heart of Canada’s strategic acquisitions: an expertise forged over 41 years of service, invaluable to SMEs looking to integrate into defense supply chains.
With extensive experience in program management, procurement for complex projects, infrastructure support solutions, and governance, Simon Page spent 41 years as a senior official within the Government of Canada and as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. In his final role as Assistant Deputy Minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Defence and Marine Procurement Branch, under his leadership, oversaw the acquisition of multiple major projects, including the Future Fighter Capability Project, the Future Aircrew Training Program, the Logistics Vehicle Modernization project, and the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft project. His mandate also encompassed multiple definition and implementation contracts for shipbuilding projects, as well as the management of numerous long-term defense and marine contracts.
Simon also played a key role in overseeing and directing the governance of defense procurement strategy at the Assistant Deputy Minister level. His branch was also responsible for managing and advancing Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, as well as driving innovation in defense procurement. The branch’s portfolio included all procurement and contract management activities for the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard, as well as smaller-scale support for other departments and agencies, such as the Canada Border Services Agency and Public Safety Canada. Additionally, Simon served as the rotating chair of the Defence Industry Advisory Group and various executive governance committees for defense and marine projects and programs in the definition and implementation phases.
His career in uniform was marked by a three-year assignment as Director General – Maritime Equipment Program Management, where, as a Commodore, he oversaw all program management for the Royal Canadian Navy’s support activities, including material quality assurance for all ships and submarines. Earlier in his military career, he served as Director – Naval Training and Education for the Royal Canadian Navy and as Commandant of the Naval Engineering School in Halifax. Simon also served as Associate Assistant Deputy Minister in the Department of National Defence’s Materiel Group, where he actively contributed to managing the in-service support of all Canadian Armed Forces equipment, notably by co-chairing the National Procurement Oversight Committee and the governance of the In-Service Support Initiative. During this period, he was also responsible for representing the Materiel Group before all force development and governance bodies, including defense capability assessment committees and independent review panels on defense acquisition. Previously, within the Department of National Defence, he participated in the implementation of the Defence Resource Management Information System for the entire naval maintenance sector, including solutions deployed for ships and submarines. Simon also possesses extensive experience in the field of naval training.