Ottawa revealed the figure this week in response to a question from the Conservatives.

The shipyard is on track to win potentially billions of dollars in federal work.

The union questions why the decision was made now after years of putting effort into growing good jobs in the community.

There are more than 17,000 pipe assemblies in a single Arctic and offshore patrol vessel. 

The move follows a complaint last week from an Ontario shipyard to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal that the government was unfairly stacking the deck in favour of Quebec's Chantier Davie yard.

The process to bring in a third shipyard to the National Shipbuilding Strategy is expected to start next month.

Kenney revealed he contributed to Norman's legal defence fund and also met with his defence team for about two hours in Toronto last year.

A preliminary hearing is set for October in the case of a public servant accused of leaking cabinet secrets about a $700-million naval contract.

The contracts are to maintain Canada's 12 Halifax-class frigates until the end of their operational life, estimated at another 20 years.

Vice-Admiral Mark Norman's legal team is demanding the federal government release dozens of documents that officials have deemed cabinet secrets, but which Norman's lawyers say they need to properly defend their client in court.