foreword
From the very beginning , change has been a constant theme in Defence Construction Canada ’ s history . Our Corporation was born in the post-World War II era that brought about massive technological , political and social change across all continents , nations and cultures . In the decades that followed , we and the Department of National Defence have responded to every challenge placed before us by the Canadian government as it exercised its role on the international stage as a NATO member , as peacekeepers and as combatants .
As we celebrate our 60th anniversary year , our ability to not only respond to continuing challenges but to proactively manage them is built on a sound foundation of our values : dedication , fairness and competence . No matter what we have faced , these values — put into place from the earliest days by our first president , Dick Johnson — have remained true over time . The stories within this book demonstrate how the Corporation has endured because , guided by these tenets , our employees have always shown a level of innovation and tenacity that exceeded the demands of the day .
From early warning stations in the Arctic to powergenerating projects in India and Pakistan , from the island-building of Expo 67 to the dusty fields of Afghanistan , we have gone wherever we were needed — most often in collaboration with our Client-Partner , DND , and always at the forefront of construction and project management techniques . Ours is a history that spans more than half a century . It crosses continents . Anchored in the construction industry , it is focused on serving both client and contractor — and it is this focus on service that is guiding our future .
The theme of change is not restricted to the sometimes tumultuous historical events of the 20th century . In more recent history , Defence Construction Canada has evolved from an organization focused primarily on civil engineering technology and management to one that is widely diverse in its services : environmental and project management , facilities management , operational support and more . Fundamentally , we have shifted from a budget allocation process to a funding model based solely on the value of the services we provide . In that , we are a unique combination of Crown corporation and entrepreneurial spirit — a combination that I believe has done much to strengthen and serve our partnership with DND .
This collection of stories shows where we began and how we progressed to the present day . But more than a progression of the years , it preserves the personal experiences of some of the people who guided us on the journey . The Corporation and Canada have been well served by a remarkable group of dedicated and accomplished individuals over 60 years of public service . To recognize and preserve their contributions , we have tried within this publication to capture the spirit and tradition of the Corporation through the anecdotes and recollections of our people , rather than simply consolidating the facts and statistics found in our Annual Reports . Through their voices , we gain a sense of the culture and traditions that we are still building upon today . May we always live up to the quality and the dedication of those who have gone before us .
Robert Presser Chair , Board of Directors Defence Construction Canada
BREAKING NEW GROUND DEFENCE CONSTRUCTION CANADA vii