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Harper Government News

11 Mar 2016

Unsolicited Bid by Davie Shipyard

Quebec-based Chantier Davie Canada Inc. presented a bid, potentially worth up to a billion dollars, to the federal government last month offering a Polar Class 3 icebreaker, three smaller River-class icebreakers and two multi-purpose research, border control and search and rescue ships, says a report in the Canadian Press. The proposal by Quebec-based Chantier Davie Canada Inc. has the potential to undercut one pillar of the national shipbuilding strategy, which delegates the construction of civilian ships to Vancouver's Seaspan shipyard. In a presentation to Public Services and Procurement Canada, Davie is partially reviving a pitch made to the former Conservative government in 2013, where it offered to a construct a Polar Class 3 icebreaker and deliver it in 18 months.

23 Dec 2015

Arctic Coast Guard Forum: Eyes and Ears Up North

Sailors aboard the fast attack submarine USS Seawolf (SSN 21) inspect the boat after surfacing through Arctic ice. Seawolf conducted routine Arctic operations. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

On October 30, 2015, at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, the heads of eight agencies fulfilling the functions of Coast Guard of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden, and the United States signed a Joint Statement formally establishing the Arctic Coast Guard Forum (ACGF). The ACGF is an independent, informal, operationally-driven organization. It is not bound by treaty, but will work in cooperation with the Arctic Council to foster safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime activity in the Arctic region.

03 Aug 2015

Harper Government Invests in Naufrage Harbor

The Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today an investment to improve safety and working conditions for fishermen at Naufrage Harbor, Prince Edward Island. This funding will be used to replace a section of an existing deteriorated wharf with a new structure, repair the entrance breakwater and carry out maintenance dredging of the channel. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has provided an unprecedented level of funding to support investments in public infrastructure across the country. Last fall, Prime Minister Harper announced an additional investment of $5.8 billion over the next two years to build and renew infrastructure across the country to support Canadian heritage…

01 May 2015

Canada Announces Funding for Commercial Fishing Safety

Canada’s Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt, joined by Members of Parliament from Atlantic Canada, announced a new Commercial Fishing Safety component of the Government of Canada's Boating Safety Contribution Program, a contribution funding program which aims to raise public awareness of boating safety. Under this new component, up to $300,000 per year for the next three years will be available to support education and awareness initiatives that promote safe boating practices onboard small commercial fishing vessels across the country. "Our investments through this new program will help enhance the lives and livelihoods of Canada's commercial fishers by helping to reduce loss of life, injuries and property damage due to accidents on the water," Raitt said.

04 Apr 2015

Canada Passed on U.S.-Mexico Climate Announcement

Canada declined a U.S. invitation last week to jointly announce climate policy cooperation with Mexico, with Ottawa saying it has not yet finalized its own domestic strategy, sources from both countries familiar with the discussions said on Thursday. On March 24, three days before the United States and Mexico announced they would partner on a high-level bilateral clean energy and climate policy task force, U.S. officials approached Canadian counterparts asking them to join the effort, three sources said. One source said that while Canadian officials said they were supportive of North American harmonization of climate policy they were not yet prepared to join the continental partners.

15 Aug 2014

Canada Announces Harbor Investments

Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing in a harbor improvement project at Mamainse Harbor. The project consists of the refurbishment of the north breakwater. This work is planned to start in the late fall. Funding for this project is part of the Government of Canada’s investment of approximately $106 million in repair, construction, maintenance and dredging projects at small craft harbors across Canada. This includes $66 million in regular program funding and an additional $40 million over two years, as announced in Economic Action Plan 2014.

14 Feb 2014

Canadian Ferry Operators Welcome Government Financial Plan

Ferry: Image courtesy of BC Ferries

The Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA) has said it welcomed Prime Minister Harper’s announcement of the framework for the New Building Canada Plan (NBCP). Details were also released on the New Building Canada Fund (NBCF), the $14-billion component of the NBCP that will support infrastructure projects of national, regional and local significance that promote job creation and economic growth. “The Harper government has clearly demonstrated its commitment to developing and renewing Canada’s transportation infrastructure through this $53 billion investment,” said Serge Buy, CEO of CFOA.

07 Feb 2014

Canada Patrol Boat Construction Project Pushes Forward

The Hon. Diane Finley: Photo credit Irving Shipbuilding

The Canadian Government has released funds with a potential value of $53.5 million to Irving Shipbuilding to pay for tasks connected with the construction of the Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS). •             The definition contract is a task-based contract divided into seven work packages (or tasks) that will enable Irving Shipbuilding Inc. to have full designs and requirements established for the Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships before building. Plans remain on track to cut steel and begin construction in 2015.

05 Feb 2014

Canadian Coast Guard's Massive Fleet Renewal Underway

CCGS Cygnus: Photo credit Canadian Govt.

As part of the Government's investment in its Coast Guard fleet, Federal Ministers Gail Shea and Rob Moore announce the award of a $1.2 million contract to St. John’s Dockyard Limited for Vessel Life Extension (VLE) and refit work to Canadian Coast Guard vessel 'CCGS Cygnus', . In the unprecedented investment to the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet renewal program allocated in Economic Action Plan 2012, the Harper Government will extend the lives of sixteen Coast Guard vessels and complete mid-life modernizations on an additional two existing hovercraft over the next 10 years.

22 Oct 2013

CFO Welcomes EU Trade Agreement for Fleet Newbuildings

The Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA) voiced its support for the agreement in principle on a comprehensive trade agreement between Canada and the European Union. Under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the current Canadian tariff of 25% on ferries shorter than 129 metres will be eliminated over a period of 7 years. "We applaud the Harper government’s efforts in establishing a free trade agreement with the European Union,"” said Serge Buy, CEO of CFOA. Ferries form an essential part of Canada’s transportation infrastructure and ferry operators make key contributions in driving Canada’s economy. Continued to provide a safe and environmentally friendly means of transportation by investing in cleaner technologies and more efficient vessels…

06 Sep 2013

Canadian Govt. Invests in Vancouver Marine Container Facilities

Photo: Port Metro Vancouver

The Honorable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, along with the Honorable Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honorable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, today announced infrastructure investments that will strengthen the border, improve marine container inspection capacity and improve efficiency at Port Metro Vancouver (PMV). "Our government's top priority remains the economy and creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in every region of Canada," said Minister Fast.

25 Feb 2013

Vancouver Shipyards Get Government Contracts

Vancouver Shipyards: Photo credit Vancouver Shipyards Inc.

Progress continues under Canada's National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy  (NSPS) with contracts to Vancouver Shipyards. The Harper Government today announced a series of preliminary contracts valued at a total of $15.7 million for  joint support ships, the CCGS polar icebreaker John G. Diefenbaker and offshore fisheries science vessels. “The Harper Government created the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy to support Canadian jobs and industries, while bolstering the Canadian economy by building ships right here in Canada…

05 Feb 2013

Canada Commissions Maritime Pollution Risk Study

Harper government announces pan-Canadian risk assessment study on marine safety. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced that Transport Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard and Environment Canada, is commissioning a pan-Canadian risk assessment study on readiness to respond to ship-source spills in Canadian waters. “Our government is working to protect the safety of Canadians and the environment,” said Minister Lebel. “Canada depends on marine shipping for jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity.

23 Jan 2013

Canadian Marine Training Centre Opens

The Industrial Marine Training and Applied Research Centre (IMTARC) located in Esquimalt, BC, is officially opened. The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic persification (WD), joined provincial and local representatives to officially open the Industrial Marine Training and Applied Research Centre (IMTARC). "We recognize that the shipbuilding and marine industry in British Columbia is set to grow significantly in the coming years and that this coordinated training centre will play an integral part in positioning BC for success," said Minister Yelich. Total economic activity in BC’s shipbuilding industry is expected to grow from $450 million to $1.4 billion, with the number of jobs increasing from 3,000 to 5,000.

18 Dec 2012

Dredging Contract Will Aid Fraser River BC Communities

Fraser River Dredging: Photo credit Port Metro

Vital access channels in the Fraser River in Steveston & Ladner will be kept navigable by a US$ 10-million joint dredging contract. Economic activity in the area will be facilitated as a result of unprecedented collaborative work bringing together a $10 million joint commitment by Port Metro Vancouver, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Corporation of Delta, and the City of Richmond. "Providing clear, safe, local navigation channels is enormously important to our communities…

17 May 2010

Canadian Shipbuilding: East against West

According to a May 16 report from the Vancouver Sun, the Harper government is expected to release its long-term shipbuilding strategy in the coming weeks, creating two national centers to handle billions of dollars worth of contracts. The strategy could spark a high-stakes game pitting West Coast firms against East Coast companies in a winner-take-all contest. Vancouver-based Washington Marine Group and J.D. Irving on the East Coast will be asked to submit proposals to become the “center of excellence” for building combat ships such as the Arctic patrol vessels and the fleet of vessels that will eventually replace the navy’s Halifax-class frigates. Victoria Shipyards is owned by Washington Marine Group, as are Vancouver Drydock and Vancouver Shipyards.

27 Jun 2006

Four Groups to Compete for Naval Contract

The Ottowa Business Journal has reported that four consortia have been selected to bid on a $2.9 billion contract to supply three new joint support ships to the Canadian Forces, the first in a week-long series of announcements by the Harper government of new equipment for Canada's sailors, soldiers and airmen. Irving Shipbuilding, BAE Systems (Project) Limited (BAE Systems Naval Ships), ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems AG and SNC-Lavalin Profac Inc will bid on the project definition phase---including preliminary ship design, project implementation plans, and an in-service support plan. Two groups will then be awarded contracts worth $12.5 million each for the project definition phase, and will compete for the final implementation contract.