December 2, 2013
HAY RIVER, Northwest Territories – The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, today announced the award of two contracts totaling $1.1M to Northern Transportation Company Limited for Vessel Life Extension refit work to Canadian Coast Guard ships CCGS Dumit and CCGS Eckaloo.
“The Harper Government is committed to supporting the Canadian Coast Guard, our shipbuilding industry and maritime safety in the North,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “Our Government will revitalize Canada’s Coast Guard fleet so it can continue to keep our waterways safe and accessible while creating jobs and economic growth across the country.”
“Our Government is committed to creating economic opportunities for the Canadian shipbuilding industry while also ensuring the highest value for taxpayers’ money,” said Minister Shea. “This investment demonstrates that we are making progress under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and that work is beginning throughout the country.”
These two vessels, based in Hay River, provide Aid to Navigation services on the Mackenzie River. Vessel condition surveys are being conducted on the CCGS Dumit and CCGS Eckaloo in advance of the vessel life extension work which will take place in multiple phases beginning in October 2014. The current survey work includes docking the vessels, water blasting the hulls in preparation for thickness measurements, and a spring undocking. Work on the CCGS Eckaloo will also include a shaft line survey.
These contracts are being awarded as part of the $360M investment to extend the life of the Coast Guard fleet announced in February of this year as part of the Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, as well as the Coast Guard’s regular refit budget. The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy aims to support a vibrant Canadian shipbuilding industry while also ensuring the highest value for public funds.
As part of the unprecedented investment of $5.2B for the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet renewal program allocated in Economic Action Plan 2012, the Harper Government will extend the life of sixteen Coast Guard vessels and complete mid-life modernizations on an additional two existing hovercraft over the next 10 years. This investment will also enable the Coast Guard to procure 18-21 new vessels, up to five new Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessels and five Offshore Patrol Vessels for its fleet.
Furthermore, the Government of Canada has invested in nine new mid-shore patrol vessels, scientific research vessels, a new hovercraft, as well as the completion of major repair work on 40 of our large vessels and acquisition of 98 new small craft and boats.
-30-
