Feds announce 16 new vessels for Canadian Coast Guard

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The federal government has announced a massive renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the overhaul means new ships.

“Investing to build 16 new multi-purpose vessels to replace ageing ships,” Trudeau told reporters. “These new vessels will do everything from ice breaking on the great lakes, to fisheries patrol, to conducting pollution response.”

Trudeau says many of the multi-purpose vessels will be built in B.C., and will also be stationed here.

“This fleet renewal project will be anchored right here in British Columbia,” he added. “Creating certainty and long-term viability for the Vancouver shipbuilding industry which means even more good, middle-class jobs down the road.”

The government also promised to buy two more Arctic patrol ships. Trudeau says $15.7-billion in new work will be awarded to Seaspan and Halifax-based Irving Shipbuilding, and there are also plans to hold a competition to add a third shipyard, possibly Quebec City’s Davie Shipbuilding, to the strategy.

Critics have been blasting the feds for allowing the coast guard fleet to age so dramatically. The average age for a vessel is about 38 years old.

A boost to B.C.’s shipbuilders

B.C.’s Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver says this contract will improve the province’s competitive advantage.

“The skilled labour that we’ve had historically here a well as the existing shipbuilding yards, as well as the fact we’re on the coast, and the fact that we are so close to Asia, this is an enormous opportunity for us,” he added.

He says the funding will provide a great boost to B.C.’s shipbuilders.

“Many, many ships have been built over the time and we’ve seen struggling in recent years the capacity to take it to the next level and what the prime minister did today is really infused live into a thriving industry and it’s just very exciting.”

While infusing life into the industry, Weaver says it will also allow for greater research work on board the new ships and increases safety on the coastline.

-With files from The Canadian Press and Greg Harper