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David Pratt

David Pratt is a former federal defence minister and the principal of David Pratt & Associates. His consulting firm supports large and small companies in the defence and security sector with government relations, marketing and communications.

The procurement problem

  • Defence procurement does not exist in a vacuum, and must be consistent with the government’s overall foreign and defence policy.
Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 28, 2025
Stephen Fuhr
Stephen Fuhr
At the top of Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr’s priority list should be changing our de-centralized approach to defence procurement, writes David Pratt. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The procurement problem

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 28, 2025
  • Defence procurement does not exist in a vacuum, and must be consistent with the government’s overall foreign and defence policy.

The procurement problem

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 28, 2025
  • Defence procurement does not exist in a vacuum, and must be consistent with the government’s overall foreign and defence policy.
Stephen Fuhr
At the top of Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr’s priority list should be changing our de-centralized approach to defence procurement, writes David Pratt. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Trump, China, Russia and national security threats to Canada

  • The election of Donald Trump as America's next president may finally shake Canadians out of their complacency.
Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | November 20, 2024
Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping
Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping
A good bet is that Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping are watching events unfold with an intense interest, writes David Pratt. Photograph courtesy of the Kremlin

Trump, China, Russia and national security threats to Canada

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | November 20, 2024
  • The election of Donald Trump as America's next president may finally shake Canadians out of their complacency.

Trump, China, Russia and national security threats to Canada

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | November 20, 2024
  • The election of Donald Trump as America's next president may finally shake Canadians out of their complacency.
Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping
A good bet is that Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping are watching events unfold with an intense interest, writes David Pratt. Photograph courtesy of the Kremlin

A foreign intelligence service for Canada

  • In the wake of the current debate on foreign interference, we have an opportunity to create a unique organization that can enhance Canada’s foreign
Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | August 8, 2024
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, pictured. On March 17, 2003, then-Liberal MP David Pratt introduced a private member’s bill to establish the Canadian Foreign Intelligence Agency. It would fully reflect the views of the McDonald Inquiry and the service would operate abroad to collect foreign intelligence from human sources, writes Pratt. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A foreign intelligence service for Canada

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | August 8, 2024
  • In the wake of the current debate on foreign interference, we have an opportunity to create a unique organization that can enhance Canada’s foreign

A foreign intelligence service for Canada

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | August 8, 2024
  • In the wake of the current debate on foreign interference, we have an opportunity to create a unique organization that can enhance Canada’s foreign
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, pictured. On March 17, 2003, then-Liberal MP David Pratt introduced a private member’s bill to establish the Canadian Foreign Intelligence Agency. It would fully reflect the views of the McDonald Inquiry and the service would operate abroad to collect foreign intelligence from human sources, writes Pratt. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The question of genocide in Ukraine

  • While no court has yet to render a verdict on the actions of Vladimir Putin and his forces, there is mounting evidence that Russia
Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | June 27, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured. A better way to describe what has transpired in Ukraine in the last two years is not 'an element of genocide,' but rather a 'genocide in progress,' writes David Pratt. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The question of genocide in Ukraine

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | June 27, 2024
  • While no court has yet to render a verdict on the actions of Vladimir Putin and his forces, there is mounting evidence that Russia

The question of genocide in Ukraine

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | June 27, 2024
  • While no court has yet to render a verdict on the actions of Vladimir Putin and his forces, there is mounting evidence that Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured. A better way to describe what has transpired in Ukraine in the last two years is not 'an element of genocide,' but rather a 'genocide in progress,' writes David Pratt. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Why two per cent makes perfect sense

  • Doing our share to contribute to collective security and global stability benefits Canada and Canadians.
Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 29, 2024
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg meets with Canadian Armed Forces at the Royal Canadian Air Force base in Cold Lake, Alta., in August 2022. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr

Why two per cent makes perfect sense

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 29, 2024
  • Doing our share to contribute to collective security and global stability benefits Canada and Canadians.

Why two per cent makes perfect sense

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 29, 2024
  • Doing our share to contribute to collective security and global stability benefits Canada and Canadians.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg meets with Canadian Armed Forces at the Royal Canadian Air Force base in Cold Lake, Alta., in August 2022. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr

Waiting for the new defence policy

  • So much more could have been done to provide Canadians with a clearer roadmap of defence and security issues as well as our place
Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | November 22, 2023
With high expectations on the defence policy update, National Defence Minister Bill Blair definitely has his work cut out for him, writes David Pratt. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Waiting for the new defence policy

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | November 22, 2023
  • So much more could have been done to provide Canadians with a clearer roadmap of defence and security issues as well as our place

Waiting for the new defence policy

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | November 22, 2023
  • So much more could have been done to provide Canadians with a clearer roadmap of defence and security issues as well as our place
With high expectations on the defence policy update, National Defence Minister Bill Blair definitely has his work cut out for him, writes David Pratt. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Defence spending as a political pivot for the Trudeau government

  • One area where the Liberal government has seriously under-performed is in foreign affairs and defence.
Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 29, 2023
Many Canadians with centrist views feel the Trudeau Liberals have tilted too far to the left. The solution for the party in the 12 to 24 months prior to an election should be a vigorous thrust to the centre of Canadian politics, writes David Pratt, principal of David Pratt & Associates The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Defence spending as a political pivot for the Trudeau government

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 29, 2023
  • One area where the Liberal government has seriously under-performed is in foreign affairs and defence.

Defence spending as a political pivot for the Trudeau government

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 29, 2023
  • One area where the Liberal government has seriously under-performed is in foreign affairs and defence.
Many Canadians with centrist views feel the Trudeau Liberals have tilted too far to the left. The solution for the party in the 12 to 24 months prior to an election should be a vigorous thrust to the centre of Canadian politics, writes David Pratt, principal of David Pratt & Associates The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The cupboard is not bare: Canada can send Ukraine surplus LAVs

  • It is time Canada stepped up and commissioned some of its surplus inventory of LAVs to provide a cohesive land combat team of MBTs
Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | February 27, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured recently in a Hill scrum. Canada could offer to refurbish and up-armour vehicles that have officially been deemed surplus to the Canadian Army’s current requirements. These could be refurbished faster, armoured to a higher standard and cost less than any new IFVs, writes David Pratt. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The cupboard is not bare: Canada can send Ukraine surplus LAVs

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | February 27, 2023
  • It is time Canada stepped up and commissioned some of its surplus inventory of LAVs to provide a cohesive land combat team of MBTs

The cupboard is not bare: Canada can send Ukraine surplus LAVs

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | February 27, 2023
  • It is time Canada stepped up and commissioned some of its surplus inventory of LAVs to provide a cohesive land combat team of MBTs
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured recently in a Hill scrum. Canada could offer to refurbish and up-armour vehicles that have officially been deemed surplus to the Canadian Army’s current requirements. These could be refurbished faster, armoured to a higher standard and cost less than any new IFVs, writes David Pratt. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians should read Freeland’s speech and embrace her strategy

  • The Freeland Doctrine, as some are calling it, could and probably should form the basis of a Canadian foreign policy review which arguably should
Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | October 31, 2022
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland's speech on Oct. 11 at the Brookings Institution clearly implies a very creative use of both hard and soft power, and it was a tour de force by any objective measure, writes David Pratt. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians should read Freeland’s speech and embrace her strategy

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | October 31, 2022
  • The Freeland Doctrine, as some are calling it, could and probably should form the basis of a Canadian foreign policy review which arguably should

Canadians should read Freeland’s speech and embrace her strategy

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | October 31, 2022
  • The Freeland Doctrine, as some are calling it, could and probably should form the basis of a Canadian foreign policy review which arguably should
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland's speech on Oct. 11 at the Brookings Institution clearly implies a very creative use of both hard and soft power, and it was a tour de force by any objective measure, writes David Pratt. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Better late than never, time to commit to missile defence

  • OTTAWA—Trivia Question: What is the connection between Ogdensburg, New York and continental missile defence? Answer: At Ogdensburg in August 1940, Canadian prime minister Mackenzie
Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 30, 2022
Prime minister Mackenzie King and U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt, pictured July 31, 1936, in Québec City, Quebec. At Ogdensburg in August 1940, King and Roosevelt met to sign the Ogdensburg Agreement which laid the foundation for the future continental defence of Canada and the United States. Photograph Flickr

Better late than never, time to commit to missile defence

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 30, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Trivia Question: What is the connection between Ogdensburg, New York and continental missile defence? Answer: At Ogdensburg in August 1940, Canadian prime minister Mackenzie

Better late than never, time to commit to missile defence

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | May 30, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Trivia Question: What is the connection between Ogdensburg, New York and continental missile defence? Answer: At Ogdensburg in August 1940, Canadian prime minister Mackenzie
Prime minister Mackenzie King and U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt, pictured July 31, 1936, in Québec City, Quebec. At Ogdensburg in August 1940, King and Roosevelt met to sign the Ogdensburg Agreement which laid the foundation for the future continental defence of Canada and the United States. Photograph Flickr

Defending democracy and confronting aggressors

  • OTTAWA—Very few in Canada would argue with a recent Globe and Mail editorial that, “It’s never a bad time to fight for democracy.” Democracy,
Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | December 17, 2021
Canada needs to match our words with action. The mandate letters for Defence Minister Anita Anand and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will set the tone, but the prime minister must lead the charge, writes David Pratt. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Defending democracy and confronting aggressors

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | December 17, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Very few in Canada would argue with a recent Globe and Mail editorial that, “It’s never a bad time to fight for democracy.” Democracy,

Defending democracy and confronting aggressors

Opinion | BY DAVID PRATT | December 17, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Very few in Canada would argue with a recent Globe and Mail editorial that, “It’s never a bad time to fight for democracy.” Democracy,
Canada needs to match our words with action. The mandate letters for Defence Minister Anita Anand and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will set the tone, but the prime minister must lead the charge, writes David Pratt. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
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