The National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) is a long-term commitment to renew the vessel fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), create a sustainable shipbuilding sector, and generate economic benefits for Canadians.
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, announced today that the Government of Canada has awarded a $3.25-billion contract (before tax) to Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (CDCI) for the construction of 1 of CCG's future polar icebreakers under the NSS. This marks a significant milestone in strengthening Canada's Arctic sovereignty and security.
As part of its fleet renewal plan, the CCG is acquiring 2 polar icebreakers. The other polar icebreaker is being built by Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards. These vessels will strengthen the CCG's Arctic presence, and have greater, more advanced capabilities than the current, most capable CCG icebreakers.
These larger, more powerful polar icebreakers will ensure the CCG's operations continue at higher latitudes for longer periods, while allowing its fleet to better support Indigenous Peoples, strengthen Arctic security, advance high Arctic science and better respond to maritime emergencies.
Chantier Davie will be building this ship in Lévis, Quebec. To accelerate its production, Chantier Davie will also leverage its Canadian-owned shipyard in Finland, Helsinki Shipyard. With Finland's unique expertise and track record building polar icebreakers, this will deliver Canadian ships faster and cheaper, and get them on the ice quicker. These investments are turbocharging the Canadian shipbuilding industry, creating good-paying jobs across Canada, and enhancing our defence and security partnerships around the world.
In today's announcement, Minister Duclos also took the opportunity to officially launch the 15th anniversary of the NSS, which plays a major role in strengthening Canada's economy, having created or maintained over 20,400 good middle-class jobs per year. Since 2010, Canadian shipyards have delivered 8 large vessels and 34 small vessels to the RCN and the CCG, while supporting federal fleets with critical repair, refit and maintenance work.
The Arctic is an integral part of Canada and home to 150,000 Canadians and generations of Indigenous Peoples. With transformative agreements like the ICE Pact, signed last November with the United States and Finland, and through Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada's Defence, Canada is investing in our collective defence and security in the Arctic.
Canada will continue to work with its allies to protect our country, our continent and our democratic values.
