Retired general advised lobby firm while at the same time working for National Defence

Retired Brig.-Gen. Patrice Sabourin noted on LinkedIn his job as a senior adviser for Samuel Associates, a government relations and lobbying firm based in Ottawa.

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Published Jul 04, 2024 • Last updated 10 hours ago • 3 minute read

File photo of retired Brig. Gen. Patrice Sabourin. Photo by DND /.A retired Canadian Forces general who is listed as a senior adviser at an Ottawa lobbying firm was also working for National Defence advising military leaders in developing the future direction of the armed forces.

Retired Brig.-Gen. Patrice Sabourin outlined his dual role on his LinkedIn page, noting that in April 2024 he started a new contract as senior adviser for Chief Combat System Integration. That office, headed by Maj.-Gen. Peter Dawe, is tasked with helping shape and influence the future direction of the military, including in cyber and digitization.

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Sabourin also noted his job as a senior adviser for Samuel Associates, a government relations and lobbying firm based in Ottawa. His area of expertise that can be offered to the firm’s clients is listed as defence procurement and cyber security, among other skills.

On its website, the firm promotes its ability to help engage “military and public safety leaders on behalf of our clients” as well as highlighting its expertise in helping clients in defence procurement opportunities.

Maj.-Gen. Peter Dawe speaks to reporters in this 2018 file photo. Photo by PATRICK DOYLE /THE CANADIAN PRESSSabourin was in the job as an adviser to Dawe through a contract between National Defence and ThinkPoint Consulting, an Ottawa-based firm providing staffing to clients both in the public and private sectors.

But after this newspaper asked questions about the potential conflict of interest, National Defence changed course.

“National Defence can confirm that BGen(ret.) Sabourin is no longer the resource for this ThinkPoint Consulting contract — nor is he employed with DND in any way,” stated department spokeswoman Frédérica Dupuis. “Matters concerning alleged conflict of interest are taken seriously.”

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Sabourin’s situation had prompted some in the defence industry to contact this newspaper to raise concerns about an alleged conflict of interest; those individuals say there was the potential for clients of Samuel Associates to have the inside track on future defence procurements in the Canadian Forces.

Sabourin and Samuel Associates were asked for comment but the company’s chief of staff Aliénor Peyrefitte responded by noting that “due to confidentiality obligations, we are unable to comment on matters related to our employees, associates, partners, or clients.”

Requests for comment were submitted to ThinkPoint, and to Sabourin via ThinkPoint. No response was received.

Dawe would not comment.

National Defence refused to say how long the original contract was for or how much the contract was worth.

Dupuis said that Sabourin has not been directly employed by the department since his retirement. “BGen(ret.) Patrice Sabourin’s services were offered as a resource through a competitive solicitation process,” she stated. “Several companies responded to a Request for Proposal for a Senior Business Analyst and ThinkPoint Consulting was awarded the contract.”

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National Defence would not answer questions about what exactly Sabourin did for Maj.-Gen. Dawe.

Circumstances surrounding some National Defence contracts made headlines earlier this year. In March, the department found itself in the midst of a scandal involving the ArriveCan app after CTV News revealed David Yeo, CEO and founder of Dalian Enterprises, was also a National Defence employee. Dalian Enterprises has received multiple contracts from National Defence as well as the Canada Border Services Agency, the RCMP and other departments, CTV reported.

But National Defence pointed out that there are no rules against serving military personnel or public servants from having contracts on the side with their own department or the federal government.

“There is no prohibition against contracting for services with current and former employees at any level, and current and former CAF members at any rank,” National Defence spokeswoman Dupuis confirmed to this newspaper in March.

Dupuis stated in an email at the time that it was essential the contracting “be conducted honestly and prudently to withstand public scrutiny.”

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Dupuis noted it was the employee’s responsibility to disclose any situation that might pose a conflict of interest.

The situation with Sabourin is different in that he is no longer a Canadian Forces member.

Sabourin stated on his LinkedIn profile that he joined Samuel Associates in November 2023. He retired from the military on or before July 4, 2023, according to an official announcement from the Canadian Forces last year.

David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe

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