Derek Armstrong is an economist and financial analyst who has spent his career examining government spending and ways to make it more effective. Mr. Armstrong has led various government-wide functions – from performance measurement and evaluation to cost estimation in defence procurement – always with the goal of making things simpler, more transparent, and better value. He is a champion of open data, leading the creation of the GC Infobase, and the use of data to inform government policy. Mr. Armstrong conducts research to inform topics of current interest to the Government of Canada, particularly on federal finances and defence policy. His most recent work is a comprehensive study of federal spending reviews in Canada, published in 2025 by the Canada School of Public Service.
A proud father of three mixed-race children, one with special needs, Mr. Armstrong is a stout advocate of meaningful disability programming for individuals with autism and hearing loss. In his spare time, he practices karate with his children and writes (mostly) science fiction.
Expertise
- Examining complicated problems using facts
- Federal spending and budgeting, spending reviews
- Defence spending
- Machinery of government and cabinet approvals
Credentials
- Master of Arts (Economics) – Concordia University
- Bachelor of Arts (Economics) – University of British Columbia
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder
- Certificate in Public Sector Leadership and Governance (Odell) – University of Ottawa
