Clark bolsters B.C. bid for shipbuilding contract

VICTORIA – Premier Christy Clark will go to Ottawa this month as part of B.C.’s campaign to make a "big splash" as it champions the lone West Coast bid for a major federal shipbuilding contract.

Details of the trip are still being worked out with the Prime Minister’s Office, Clark said in an interview Thursday.

"It will be a focused agenda . . . and one of those focuses is going to be the shipbuilding contract," Clark said.

"It is fabulous news that she is heading out," said Jonathan Whitworth, CEO of Vancouver’s Seaspan.

Seaspan, owner of Victoria Shipyards, Vancouver Shipyards and Vancouver Drydock, is vying for a share of the 30-year, $35-billion national shipbuilding procurement strategy. Two main contractors, one for combat vessels and one for non-combat vessels, will be chosen.

A Seaspan win would mean ships would be built in North Vancouver, then tied at Victoria Shipyards in Esquimalt, B.C. Sea trials, testing, final tooling and finishing, representing about 15 to 20 per cent of the work, would be carried out at Victoria Shipyards, Whitworth said.

Clark’s visit will follow Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, who was in Ottawa this week to support Irving Shipbuilding’s Halifax yard.

Seaspan and Irving each want the combat contract. Clark said Seaspan is a stable company with a strong bid, and a skilled workforce. "There’s every reason this should win the procurement," she said.

"But even the best deals need salespeople, and I’m going to be one of the chief salespeople on this deal."

The bid deadline is July 7.

"There’s a lot of time for us to sell this, ahead of us. And we’re going to make a big splash. People are going to notice us for sure," Clark said.

Members of the B.C. Legislature unanimously voted to support the West Coast bid this week.