Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM)

An Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) is a senior executive position in the Canadian government, typically heading a major branch or sector within a department. In procurement, you'll most commonly encounter ADMs as decision-makers with delegated authorities for contracting and approval processes—not as oversight bodies reviewing fairness monitoring, as is sometimes misunderstood. The ADM (Materiel) at National Defence, for instance, holds direct responsibility for the entire defence procurement lifecycle.

How It Works

Here's the thing: ADMs don't just oversee from a distance. They hold specific delegated authorities that shape how procurement happens in their departments. At DND, the ADM (Materiel)—currently Troy Crosby—heads the Materiel Group responsible for delivering the goods and services required by the Canadian Armed Forces. This covers everything from logistics support to military equipment lifecycle management and coordination with other departments on defence materiel issues. All DND and CAF responsibilities for defence procurement were centralized under this civilian ADM position, who reports directly to the Deputy Minister of National Defence.

The authority levels matter. In May 2019, DND's delegated authority for competitive services contracts jumped from $1 million to $5 million—a significant shift in what can be approved at the departmental level versus what needs to go through PSPC. The Minister of Public Works still holds exclusive responsibility for broader government procurement under the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act, with Treasury Board contracting limits set at $75 million for competitive processes. But within departments, ADMs exercise considerable procurement decision-making power.

When you're working on a procurement file, the ADM level is where strategic decisions get made about approach, risk tolerance, and resource allocation. They review major procurements, approve strategies for complex acquisitions, and may be involved in decisions about Fairness Monitoring Program coverage for high-profile contracts. The Defence Production Act further outlines ministerial responsibilities for military procurement, creating a framework where ADM (Materiel) operates with substantial delegated authority while remaining accountable upward.

Key Considerations

• ADMs are individuals holding executive positions, not branches or organizational units—don't confuse the person with the organization they lead

• Delegated authority thresholds vary significantly by department and procurement type, affecting which level makes final approval decisions on your files

• The ADM (Materiel) at DND operates under both civilian government procurement rules and military-specific authorities under the Defence Production Act

• When planning major procurements, understand your department's ADM approval requirements early—these can add weeks to your timeline and may require different documentation than lower-level approvals

Related Terms

Fairness Monitoring Coverage Assessment and Recommendation Form, Departmental Oversight Branch (DOB), Delegated Procurement Authority

Sources

• Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) - National Defence

• The Evolution of Defence Procurement in Canada - Library of Parliament

• Minister's Transition Book: Core Responsibility—Purchase - PSPC

When you're navigating departmental approvals, knowing who your ADM is and what authorities they hold can save you from routing documents through unnecessary channels. Check your department's delegated authorities matrix before you start.