Minister’s message: Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy—2019 annual report
Navigation for Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy: 2019 annual report
I am pleased to present the fourth annual report on Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), covering 2019.
Along with my colleagues, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, I am proud to lead the renewal and maintenance of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) fleets, while creating jobs and generating significant economic benefits to communities across Canada.
As you will read in this year’s report, 2019 was marked by important achievements, including the delivery of the first 2 large ships built under the NSS, the first and second Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels, to the CCG.
We also announced further investments in the CCG fleet, with up to 24 additional large ships. This includes up to 16 multi-purpose vessels to be built at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards, 2 adapted Arctic offshore patrol ships (AOPS) at Irving Shipbuilding Inc., as well as 6 new program icebreakers to be built at a third Canadian shipyard. The process to select the third shipyard is underway.
In 2019, the Government of Canada made progress toward renewing the RCN fleet, by selecting a design for the future Canadian surface combatants. The RCN’s first AOPS also began sea trials, and we signed new contracts with 3 Canadian shipyards to maintain the Navy’s existing Halifax-class frigates until the Canadian surface combatants are delivered.
The NSS continued to help stimulate the Canadian economy, with approximately $3.3 billion in new contracts having been awarded to Canadian companies in 6 different provinces in 2019. Of note, NSS contracts issued between 2012 and December 2019 are estimated to contribute over $17.04 billion ($1.54 billion annually) to gross domestic product, and create or maintain more than 15,500 jobs annually, through the marine industry and its Canadian suppliers from 2012 to 2022.
Progress and successes are no doubt being achieved. But shipbuilding is highly complex, and we must continue to work with shipyards to address ongoing challenges facing the NSS, including costs, timelines and productivity.
The Government of Canada remains firmly committed to the NSS, and we are working hard to ensure it continues delivering important benefits for Canada.
The Honourable Anita Anand
Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Navigation for Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy: 2019 annual report
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