Stephen Fuhr earned the nickname “Picasso” during his time as a fighter pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). While tasked with creating precise attack maps, his abstract drawings led to him being dubbed after the renowned cubist artist by former military officials. Now, at 57 years old, Fuhr serves as Canada’s secretary of state for defence procurement.
In his current position, Fuhr heads the Defence Investment Agency, established by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration to expedite the procurement of billions of dollars in military assets. Following his retirement from the Armed Forces in 2009, Fuhr faced criticism for his vocal opposition to acquiring American F-35 aircraft.
Despite his contentious history with the RCAF, Fuhr remains committed to his convictions, often standing alone on difficult decisions. Raised in Edmonton and now residing in B.C.’s Okanagan Valley as the MP for Kelowna, Fuhr’s passion for aviation began as a child attending model airplane competitions with his grandfather.
Fuhr, a former CF-18 pilot, faces challenges within the fighter pilot community due to his divergent views on military aircraft procurement. His experiences and disagreements with the RCAF have shaped his approach to transforming Canada’s military acquisition process.
Acknowledging the importance of evidence-based decision-making, Fuhr emphasizes the need for credible information to sway his opinions. Despite diplomatic tensions surrounding certain topics like the F-35, Fuhr remains open to dialogue and change, striving to modernize Canada’s defense procurement system effectively.