November 8, 2012
St, John's, Newfoundland and Labrador – The Honourable Gail Shea, Acting Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen's Privy Council and the Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, today welcomed home the crews of Canadian Coast Guard Ship Terry Fox and Canadian Coast Guard Ship Henry Larsen from operations in the Arctic.
The CCGS Terry Fox conducted cargo operations to resupply the communities of Eureka and Kugaaruk, and carried out considerable icebreaking operations and vessel escorts around Iqaluit this summer due to heavy ice conditions in the area.
In addition to its icebreaking operations, the CCGS Henry Larsen was involved in a scientific study directed towards measuring the flow of seawater from the Arctic across the Canadian polar shelf, retrieval of deep-water oceanographic equipment, servicing automated northern weather stations and conducting surveys of ice thickness.
“I would like to commend the crews of the CCGS Terry Fox and CCGS Henry Larsen on their dedication and accomplishments in the Arctic,” said Minister Shea. “Their hard work and commitment exemplifies the Canadian Coast Guard’s work and indispensable presence in Canada’s north.”
“The presence of Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers in the Arctic is an iconic symbol of our country that all Canadians can be proud of,” said Minister Penashue. “The Government is proud of its ships’ crews and recognizes their service to Canadians.”
The CCGS Terry Fox returned to St. John’s on October 16 and the CCGS Henry Larsen on October 24, 2012.
Since 2006, the Government of Canada has invested 1.4 billion into the national fleet of the Canadian Coast Guard. In addition, Canada’s new flagship polar icebreaker CCGS John G. Diefenbaker, once completed in 2017, will be the largest, most powerful vessel in the history of the Canadian Coast Guard. This polar icebreaker and the offshore science vessels will be constructed as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, led by Public Works and Government Services Canada.
For more information about the CCGS Terry Fox, CCGS Henry Larsen, Canadian Coast Guard missions and Canada’s Northern Strategy, visit the following websites: http://www.marinfo.gc.ca, www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca and www.northernstrategy.gc.ca
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