Trusted advisory experience across Canada’s defence and security ecosystem.
Specialized Areas of Expertise
Federal Departments & Agencies Served in the Defense Sector
Projects Completed
Samson Defence brings together specialized expertise in governance, program and project management, procurement, fairness monitoring, financial management, risk management, internal audit, cybersecurity, organizational consulting, and professional training. We help our clients turn complex federal environment requirements into well-governed, verifiable, and successful outcomes.
Our professionals have supported the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, Defence Construction Canada, the Communications Security Establishment, defence oversight organizations, the Canadian Space Agency, the Canadian Commercial Corporation, as well as other federal institutions operating in aerospace, maritime, space, border security, and critical infrastructure.
Governance and Strategic Advisory
What we do
Samson helps organizations put in place governance structures that support clear accountability, informed decision-making and effective oversight. We design governance frameworks, clarify roles and responsibilities, build accountability (RACI) matrices, and advise management and committees on policies, controls and strategic direction.
The value we bring
For businesses pursuing defence contracts, sound governance is a competitive advantage — it demonstrates organizational maturity, clarifies decision rights and contract accountabilities, and reassures federal buyers and prime contractors that your organization can deliver reliably.
Key capabilities
Program, Project and Change Management
What we do
Samson supports the planning, governance and delivery of complex initiatives — including project governance, PMO support, project controls, readiness reviews, milestone assurance, business-process optimization and change-management support.
The value we bring
Major defence initiatives succeed or fail on disciplined execution. We give leaders independent visibility into project health, readiness and risk, so decisions are made on evidence and initiatives stay on scope, on schedule and audit-ready.
Key capabilities
Featured engagement
RADARSAT Constellation Mission — Continuous Audit
Canadian Space Agency · Major Crown Project · 2016–2019
Samson delivered recurring independent assurance over the implementation of controls for one of Canada’s most significant space initiatives. The engagement examined project governance, milestones, payments, project reporting, performance and gating decisions across multiple phases. By providing continuous, real-time assurance rather than a single point-in-time audit, Samson helped the Agency identify issues early and maintain confidence in the delivery of a strategically important, security-relevant program.
Related capabilities: project assurance · governance · risk · milestone and payment oversight
Procurement Strategy and Advisory
What we do
Samson supports organizations across the full procurement lifecycle — from planning and market engagement through solicitation, evaluation, contract award and supplier debriefing — and delivers specialized procurement training.
The value we bring
We combine deep knowledge of federal procurement rules with practical evaluation and contracting experience. For businesses, that same insight decodes solicitations, sharpens go / no-go decisions and produces credible, compliant proposals.
Key capabilities
Featured engagement
Earth Observation Application Development Program
Canadian Space Agency · Procurement & evaluation support
Samson provided specialized support to the Agency’s Earth Observation Applications & Utilizations division, contributing to the management of a competitive Request for Proposals to develop applications using satellite data. Our consultant helped prepare statements of work and the evaluation methodology, supported the Evaluation Committee chair, captured proposal and evaluation records in the ORIS system, drafted the evaluation plan and report, and produced monitoring tables for project disbursement and RADARSAT-2 data forecasting.
Related capabilities: RFP design · evaluation governance · project management
Fairness Monitoring and Independent Procurement Oversight
What we do
Since 2011, Samson has provided independent fairness monitoring for complex federal procurement and competitive selection processes. As an impartial third party, we review procurement documentation, observe industry engagement and supplier communications, monitor evaluations and consensus meetings, identify potential fairness issues in real time, and provide a professional opinion on whether monitored activities were conducted in a fair, open and transparent manner.
The value we bring
More than a decade of fairness monitoring has given Samson practical, first-hand knowledge of how federal defence procurements are governed — from industry engagement and phased bid compliance to security requirements, technical and financial evaluation, contract award and supplier debriefing.
Financial Management, Costing and Auditability
Ce que nous faisons
Samson helps organizations strengthen financial planning, costing, reporting, controls and auditability — including life-cycle costing, accounting-policy implementation, financial-statement support, business-case and profitability analysis, financial-data validation and audit readiness. For defence businesses, these capabilities support financial-readiness assessments, cost structures and pricing, project-level accounting, documentation of costs and contract auditability.
The value we bring
In defence, cost credibility and auditability are decisive. We give decision-makers validated numbers they can defend — and we help organizations build the financial discipline that federal contracts demand.
Key capabilities
Featured engagement
Asset Retirement Obligations — Data Migration & Audit Readiness
Department of National Defence · PS 3280 / Public Sector Accounting Standards
DND must ensure that all ARO-related financial data are accurate, complete, auditable and properly reflected in its systems. Samson provided senior financial expertise to migrate ARO data from legacy Excel models into SAP while strengthening governance, traceability and audit readiness. Across four phases — planning and data assessment, validation and sensitivity analysis, migration and system integration, and audit-readiness support — Samson delivered validation and quality-assessment reports, sensitivity analyses, migration testing, and comprehensive audit trails supporting PS 3280 compliance, reducing audit risk and reinforcing the department’s internal capacity.
Related capabilities: PSAS compliance · SAP migration · sensitivity analysis · audit trails
Featured engagement
Independent Costing Validation — Defence Policy Review
Department of National Defence · Navy & Army capital projects
To support the Defence Policy Review, DND built a consolidated life-cycle costing model spanning its Investment Plan and capital portfolio. Samson performed an independent, non-government third-party review of the costing methodology, data, assumptions, treatment of risk and results — for major Navy projects (including Arctic / Offshore Patrol Ships, Joint Support Ship and submarine life extension) and for Army vehicle and heavy-equipment projects. Using a review methodology and rating scale developed by Samson, we delivered a detailed report and presentation deck. Our recommended adjustments were accepted by senior management, giving decision-makers greater confidence in the relationship between cost and capability across the investment portfolio.
Related capabilities: life-cycle costing · independent review · assumptions & risk validation
Risk Management Services
What we do
Samson helps organizations identify, assess, prioritize and manage strategic, operational, financial, project, procurement, technology, cybersecurity, privacy, environmental and compliance risks — using recognized standards such as ISO 31000, Treasury Board guidance, COBIT, ITIL, the ISO/IEC 27000 series, NIST, ITSG-33 and ISO/IEC 27701.
The value we bring
Our specialists blend hands-on public-sector risk leadership with consulting rigour. We help leaders anticipate threats, prioritize what matters and put practical, monitored mitigation in place — so major programs stay resilient.
Key capabilities
Featured engagement
Defence Environmental Risk Assessment & Multiyear Audit Plan
Department of National Defence · ISO 31000 / ISO 14001
Samson developed and applied an environmental risk-assessment methodology across defence locations and activities, facilitating risk workshops, preparing a consolidated risk register, assessing environmental-management-system maturity and delivering a multiyear, risk-based audit plan. The engagement integrated recognized standards and DND’s enterprise risk framework, giving the department a defensible, prioritized basis for oversight and assurance — and a clear roadmap for future audit coverage.
Related capabilities: ISO 31000 · environmental risk · workshops · risk-based audit planning
Audit, Independent Review and Project Assurance
What we do
Samson provides independent assurance over governance, risk management, controls, financial management, technology, programs and major projects — including internal audits, continuous auditing, readiness and milestone reviews, internal-control reviews, and quality assessments of internal-audit functions.
The value we bring
Independent assurance protects public funds and executive credibility. Our reviews give committees and management objective, evidence-based insight — and practical, prioritized recommendations that improve delivery.
Key capabilities
Featured engagement
Annual Financial Audit of the Department of National Defence
Office of the Auditor General of Canada · Canadian GAAS
Samson supported the OAG audit team on the annual financial audit of DND — a component of the group audit of the consolidated financial statements of the Government of Canada. Our auditors performed planning and risk assessment, executed audit procedures (including walkthroughs and benefit-payment testing), and contributed to observations, conclusions and reporting, all documented to OAG methodology standards. The engagement also included year-end inventory counts of ammunition, consumable inventory and asset-pooled items at bases in Kingston, Petawawa and Montréal, verifying the existence of tangible capital assets under demanding conditions.
Related capabilities: financial audit · GAAS · inventory & asset verification
Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Risk
What we do
Samson helps organizations evaluate and strengthen the security, resilience and governance of information, systems and digital initiatives — including cybersecurity audits, threat, vulnerability and risk assessments, penetration testing, public-key-infrastructure reviews, and data analysis and visualization. For businesses, we position this as security and cybersecurity readiness — clarifying requirements, identifying gaps and preparing the right documentation. (Samson supports readiness; it does not issue government security clearances.)
The value we bring
Digital trust is now a procurement requirement. We help organizations understand their exposure, meet federal security expectations and turn cybersecurity from a barrier into a credibility asset.
Key capabilities
Organizational Design, Workplace Advisory and Human Resources
What we do
Samson helps organizations clarify roles, strengthen workforce practices and address sensitive workplace matters through independent professional support — including organizational design, standardized job descriptions, staffing and HR-compliance reviews, employee-relations advisory, and workplace assessments and investigations.
The value we bring
People and structure underpin delivery. We help organizations align roles with mandates, close accountability gaps and handle sensitive matters with independence, discretion and fairness.
Key capabilities
Leadership, Facilitation and Training
What we do
Samson builds organizational capability through executive coaching, facilitation and specialized professional training — in procurement and negotiation, contracting practices, materiel management, internal control, and risk.
The value we bring
Capability lasts longer than any single engagement. We transfer knowledge to your teams, so improvements in procurement, contracting, finance and risk become part of how your organization works.
Key capabilities
Our achievements
Governance and Strategic Advisory
| CLIENT | ENGAGEMENT | PERIOD |
|---|---|---|
| Department of National Defence | Development of RACI matrices — role-overlap, gap and accountability analysis | 2024 |
| Military Police Complaints Commission | Development of an Internal Control over Financial Management (ICFM) framework | 2019 |
| Canadian Commercial Corporation | Review of Risk Management Framework, Procedures and Processes | 2022–2023 |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | Audit of CNSC Departmental Governance | 2024–2025 |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | Departmental Security Advisory · Strategic advice and guidance to Corporate Security | 2022–2027 |
| Bank of Canada | Review of Corporate Governance | 2018 |
Program, Project and Change Management
| CLIENT | ENGAGEMENT | PERIOD |
|---|---|---|
| Defence Construction Canada | Independent review & assurance — Digital Business Capability and ERP initiative | Recent |
| Canadian Space Agency | Continuous Audit of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (Major Crown Project) | 2016–2019 |
| Department of National Defence | SAP Asset Retirement Obligations module — ongoing business-process optimization | 2025–2026 |
| Public Safety Canada | Nimble Assurance of the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (IT-enabled project) | 2022–2027 |
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada | Assurance engagements — Digital Platform Modernization (DPM) | 2025–2026 |
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada | Independent Third-Party Reviews (master engagement) | 2017–2020 |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | Operational Planning Modernization Advisory Project | 2026 |
| Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation | Infrastructure & Operations Roadmap and Cloud Design advisory | 2025–2027 |
Procurement Strategy and Advisory
| CLIENT | ENGAGEMENT | PERIOD |
|---|---|---|
| Department of National Defence | Relational Contracting Management Services and training | 2015–2019 |
| Department of National Defence | Bid Evaluation and Selection Methodologies — training delivery | 2018–2020 |
| Canadian Space Agency | Earth Observation Application Development Program — RFP & evaluation support | See portfolio |
| Correctional Service Canada | Senior Procurement Specialist (master engagement) & advice to contracting officers | 2023–2026 |
| Parole Board of Canada | Senior Procurement Specialist (master engagement) | 2023–2024 |
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada | Senior Procurement Specialist | 2021–2022 |
| FINTRAC | Procurement Specialist | 2020–2022 |
| Correctional Service Canada | Training — writing statements of work and evaluation criteria | 2023–2024 |
Fairness Monitoring and Independent Procurement Oversight
| CLIENT | ENGAGEMENT | PERIOD |
|---|---|---|
| AIR AND AEROSPACE | ||
| DND / PSPC | Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (formerly JUSTAS) | 2015–2024 |
| DND / PSPC | Canadian Armed Forces Unmanned Aircraft System | 2017–2019 |
| RCAF / DND / PSPC | Multi-Fleet Training Devices — sustainment & engineering support | 2020–2022 |
| RCAF / DND / PSPC | Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology & Engineering (CFSATE) | 2015–2016 |
| RCAF / DND / PSPC | CF-188 avionics · CH-149 Cormorant · J85-CAN-40 engine — in-service support | 2021–2024* |
| PSPC | Unmanned Aircraft Surveillance | 2015–2018* |
| LAND, WEAPONS AND OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS | ||
| DND / PSPC | Headquarters Shelter System (HQSS) | 2012–2017 |
| DND / PSPC | Weapon Effects Simulation — in-service support | 2020–2022 |
| DND / PSPC | Marginal Terrain Vehicles — industry engagement | 2013–2015 |
| PSPC | Area Detection and Identification Systems (ADIS) | 2013–2026 |
| PSPC | Land Vehicle Crew Training System (LVCTS) | 2014–2027 |
| PSPC | New Generation Fighting Vehicle (NGFV) | 2019–2024 |
| PSPC | Optimize Weapon System Support | 2012–2017 |
| PSPC | Land C4ISR | 2017–2019 |
| PSPC | DRDC Valcartier — electro-optics and infrared | 2014–2017 |
| NAVAL AND MARINE | ||
| DND / PSPC | Naval Engineering Test Establishment — support services | 2020–2024 |
| PSPC | Third Canadian Shipyard — national selection process | 2019–2020 |
| PSPC | Esquimalt Graving Dock — South Jetty reconstruction | 2017–2018 |
| PSPC | Non-Combatant Classification Society Services | 2016–2018 |
| PSPC | Goose Bay Bridging · AB DND Marine Outlook | 2013–2016 |
| SPACE, SATELLITE AND SECURE TECHNOLOGY | ||
| CSA / PSPC | Enhanced Satellite Communications Project (Polar) | Various* |
| CSA / PSPC | Next-Generation Digital High-Resolution Space-Based Radar | 2023–2024* |
| DND / PSPC | Canadian Forces Health Information System | 2013–2024 |
| PSPC | Mercury Global (satellite communications) — SDT | 2015–2018 |
| SECURE IT, COMMUNICATIONS AND ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS | ||
| PSPC | Data Centre Networks / SSC Data Centre Consolidation | 2013–2020 |
| PSPC | Workplace Technology Devices (WTD) | 2014–2019 |
| PSPC | Health Information & Claims Processing III | 2015–2018 |
| PSPC | Modernization of Benefits Delivery | 2015–2025 |
| PSPC | HR Pay and Next Generation (pay systems) | 2018–2023 |
| PSPC | Informatics Professional Services | 2018–2020 |
| BORDER SECURITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY | ||
| CBSA / PSPC | Canadian Immigration Biometric Identity System (CIBIDS) | 2019–2021 |
| PSPC | Immigration Holding Centre | 2014–2017 |
| RCMP / PSPC | RCMP procurement (fairness monitoring) | 2016–2018 |
| AECL | Canadian Nuclear Laboratories — GoCo contractor procurement (disclosure to validate) | 2023–2025* |
| DND / PSPC | 5 Wing Goose Bay — site support services | 2015–2016 |
| FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE, REAL PROPERTY AND OTHER PUBLIC BODIES | ||
| Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority | Fairness Advisory Services | 2014–2015 |
| Jacques Cartier & Champlain Bridges Inc. | Fairness monitoring — bridge program | Multi-year |
| National Capital Commission | Fairness monitor — major RFP | 2021–2022 |
| University of Ottawa | Fairness Monitor Services | 2016–2021 |
| Montréal Port Authority | Contrecœur Port Terminal — selection process | 2020–2023* |
Financial Management, Costing and Auditability
| CLIENT | ENGAGEMENT | PERIOD |
|---|---|---|
| DND / KPMG | SAP Asset Retirement Obligations module — optimization | 2025–2026 |
| DND | Costing Validation — Marine (Navy) & Army vehicle/heavy-equipment projects | 2017 |
| Communications Security Establishment | Senior Financial Management support | 2014–2015 |
| CATSA | Financial and Assurance Advisory Services (RFSO Stream B, master) | 2025–2026 |
| FINTRAC | Departmental Financial Statements and reporting templates | 2021–2026 |
| Correctional Service Canada | Support to the Financial Accountability / Reporting Group (master) | 2020–2023 |
| Transportation Safety Board | Financial Specialist · financial procedures & training | 2017–2019 |
| Marine Atlantic Inc. | Financial consultant — tax assessment obligations | 2019–2020 |
| Parole Board of Canada | Costing & analysis — Record Suspension user fee | 2016 |
Risk Management Services
| CLIENT | ENGAGEMENT | PERIOD |
|---|---|---|
| Department of National Defence | Defence Environmental Risk Assessment & Multiyear Audit Plan | 2023–2024 |
| Canadian Commercial Corporation | Risk Management Framework review · Risk Appetite Support | 2022–2023 |
| Bank of Canada | Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) — master engagement | 2021–2025 |
| Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation | Enterprise Risk Assessment · Audit of Third-Party Risk Management | 2019–2025 |
| Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation | Risk-Based Audit Plan development | 2016–2017 |
| Payments Canada | IT Risk Assessment | 2017–2018 |
| Public Safety Canada | Internal audit of IT security (planning & risk) | 2019–2020 |
| Correctional Service Canada | IT Risk Assessment & IT Audit Roadmap | 2017 |
Audit, Independent Review and Project Assurance
| CLIENT | ENGAGEMENT | PERIOD |
|---|---|---|
| OAG / DND | Annual financial audit of DND — component of the Government of Canada group audit | Recurring |
| Military Police Complaints Commission | Internal Control Audit (master engagement) | 2021–2025 |
| Veterans Affairs Canada | Professional Audit Support Services (master engagement) | 2021–2026 |
| Veterans Affairs Canada | Disability Benefits Program — quality-assurance framework & reviews | 2021–2025 |
| Correctional Service Canada | Internal Audit Sector (master engagement) | 2020–2025 |
| Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation | Internal Audit Services — outsourced function (master) | 2026–2029 |
| Bank of Canada | General Audit Services (master engagement) | 2020–2026 |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | Senior auditor — IA of corporate & program areas · IA function validation | 2018–2028 |
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada | Internal Audit Services (master, Stream 1) | 2018–2027 |
| NAV Canada | External Quality Assessment of the internal audit function | 2017 |
Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Risk
| CLIENT | ENGAGEMENT | PERIOD |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Space Agency | In-depth cyber vulnerability assessment & penetration test — RCM ground system | 2022–2024 |
| Department of National Defence | D-PKI / S-PKI documentation reviews · PKI Audit (master) | 2024–2025 |
| Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation | Cyber Security audits · Senior Cybersecurity Advisor & Governance Specialists | 2017–2027 |
| Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation | Cyber Security Incident Management · IT Internal Audit Services (master) | 2025–2028 |
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada | IT Audit (master, Stream 3) · Biometrics Expansion review | 2018–2025 |
| Correctional Service Canada | IT controls for Phoenix feeder systems & ITGC monitoring | 2017–2020 |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | Strategic IT security planning & protection | 2016–2017 |
| Public Safety Canada | Internal audit of IT security | 2019–2020 |
Organizational Design, Workplace Advisory and Human Resources
| CLIENT | ENGAGEMENT | PERIOD |
|---|---|---|
| Department of National Defence | Standardized & individual job descriptions · staffing review | 2018 |
| DND & CSE | Independent workplace & harassment investigations (consolidated) | 2016–2020 |
| Correctional Service Canada | Workplace harassment & violence investigations (consolidated) | 2018–2023 |
| Correctional Service Canada | Audit of Organizational Culture | 2020–2021 |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | Workplace assessments & harassment / violence investigations | 2019–2022 |
| Veterans Affairs Canada | Investigative services & harassment investigations | 2019–2023 |
| Parliamentary Protective Service | Harassment investigation services | 2019–2020 |
| Defence Research and Development Canada | Harassment investigation · pay-equity support | 2016–2018 |
| CFMWS | Workplace prevention policy | 2019 |
| DND/CF Ombudsman | Independent investigation of harassment | 2018 |
Leadership, Facilitation and Training
| CLIENT | ENGAGEMENT | PERIOD |
|---|---|---|
| Department of National Defence | Relational Contracting Management — services & training | 2015–2019 |
| Department of National Defence | Centrally Managed Materiel & disposal — course delivery | 2017–2020 |
| Canadian Space Agency | Training on internal control | 2015 |
| NSIRA | Leadership Development Consultant | 2022–2023 |
| Veterans Affairs Canada | Solutions-Based Leadership Training Program · Train-the-Trainer | 2015–2018 |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | Training for CNSC managers | 2020–2021 |
| Correctional Service Canada | Bid evaluation & contractor selection methodology training | 2023 |
| Parole Board of Canada | Training on investigations | 2024 |