Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the Government of Canada continues to make significant investments in the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) to ensure that it has the ships it needs to assert Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic, while supporting jobs for Canadian workers.
Today, the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement), joined the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and other dignitaries at Helsinki Shipyard, to mark the official start of construction of the Polar Max, one of 2 new polar icebreakers being built under Canada's NSS for the CCG.
The Polar Max is being built by Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (CDCI), with its hull construction taking place at CDCI's recently acquired Helsinki Shipyard. Once the construction of the hull is completed, it will be moved from Finland to the CDCI shipyard in Lévis, Quebec, for the final assembly and outfitting of the vessel. This collaboration provides Canadian workers with the opportunity to learn Finnish best practices in polar icebreaker construction, gaining hands-on experience and expertise that can be applied to future projects, while strengthening Canada's ability to build capable vessels to support Arctic operations.
The Polar Max, expected to be delivered by 2030, will ensure that the CCG has the ships it needs to deliver critical work, such as icebreaking, responding to maritime emergencies, conducting Arctic science research, and ensuring the safe delivery of goods and services to Canada's northern communities. The vessel will feature greater endurance and power, and more advanced capabilities, than any icebreaker currently in the CCG fleet. Beyond its operational role, the project is cultivating a skilled Canadian workforce with experience in international best practices, supporting the development of future generations of shipbuilders.
Through the NSS, the Government of Canada remains committed to building ships in Canada while leveraging strategic partnerships to meet timelines and deliver results. The Polar Max project is creating jobs, advancing Canadian expertise and ensuring that the CCG can continue its vital work in the Arctic, supporting Indigenous communities, protecting the environment and upholding Canadian sovereignty.
