The federal government has announced another 10 vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard will be built at Seaspan in North Vancouver, at an estimated cost of $3.3 billion.
This brings the original order, announced back in April, up to 17 from seven.
“The decision supports the long-term benefits of the Government’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy in creating a sustainable shipbuilding industry once again here in Canada,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services.
“The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy is a key priority of the Harper Government as we create jobs and generate significant economic benefits in shipbuilding and other industries all across Canada,” she added. “Today’s announcement illustrates our commitment to eliminating boom and bust cycles, while providing best value for taxpayers, and ensuring affordable and timely delivery of ships.”
The government will be spending an additional $5.2 billion over the next 11 years to renew the Coast Guard fleet.
“This is yet another example of the unprecedented investment our Government has made in the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian shipbuilding industry,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. “Our Government is committed to providing the men and women of the Coast Guard with the equipment they need to do the important work we ask of them.”
In April, under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS), Seaspan received an $8 billion contract to build some of the new ships. It is expected up to 4,000 jobs would be created. The NSPS is now in its fourth phase, with the designs of the initial set of ships being finalized and the shipyards undertaking the infrastructure upgrades required to enable them to build Canada’s ships efficiently.
Of the 10 new vessels ordered, five are medium Endurance Multi-Task vessels, and five are Offshore Patrol vessels. This investment is in addition to the already announced Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels, Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel, and Canada’s first Polar Icebreaker that will be constructed at Seaspan for the Canadian Coast Guard.
Comments