Strengthening the National Shipbuilding Strategy

The National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), launched in 2010, is a long-term commitment to domestic shipbuilding that is creating well-paying stable employment and generating economic benefits across Canada, supporting Canadian technological innovation, and revitalizing a world-class marine industry.

Following a competitive process, the Government of Canada formed partnerships with 2 Canadian shipyards, Irving Shipbuilding's Halifax Shipyard and Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards, to deliver much-needed large vessels to the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard.

On May 22, 2019, the Government of Canada announced major investments to renew the Canadian Coast Guard fleet and enhancements to the NSS.

Expanding current National Shipbuilding Strategy agreements

As part of a major renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet, the Government of Canada will be investing in up to 18 large, state-of-the-art ships to be built at Canadian shipyards.

Irving Shipbuilding will build 2 new Arctic offshore patrol vessels, which will be adapted for the Coast Guard to perform tasks including offshore patrols.

Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards will build up to 16 multi-purpose vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard to support a variety of missions, including light icebreaking, environmental response, and offshore search and rescue.

These additional vessels will provide both shipyards with steady work over the next 2 decades and will help maximize production to ensure the timely delivery to the Canadian Coast Guard. It will also create jobs, generate economic growth for Canada, and help build a sustainable Canadian marine sector.

More information on the Canadian Coast Guard fleet is available on its website.

A third long-term strategic partner

To support future shipbuilding needs, including the construction of 1 of 2 polar icebreakers and 6 program icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard, the Government of Canada has added Chantier Davie Canada Inc. as a third Canadian shipyard as a partner under the NSS.

For more information on the process, please refer to:

• Renewing Canada’s fleets and supporting good middle-class jobs in Quebec (April 4, 2023)
• Government of Canada moves to next stage of third shipyard selection process with Chantier Davie (June 8, 2022)
• Canada announces next step towards adding third strategic partner under National Shipbuilding Strategy (December 19, 2019)
• Backgrounder on Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy: Process to add a third shipyard (August 2, 2019)

Related links

• About the National Shipbuilding Strategy
• Shipbuilding projects to equip the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard