Minister Lebel Inaugurates the Entry Into Service of New Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C.

QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Sept. 22, 2014) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, proudly inaugurates the entry into service of the Canadian Coast Guard's new mid-shore patrol vessel, the CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C.

CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C. is the second of nine Hero Class vessels to join the Canadian Coast Guard fleet. It was named in honour of Corporal Joseph-Thomas Kaeble, member of the Royal 22^nd Regiment, was the first French Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross (V.C.), the highest decoration for British and Commonwealth forces.

Since 2009, the Government of Canada has provided the Coast Guard with a number of new, high-performance vessels, including nine Hero Class mid-shore patrol vessels (five of which are assigned to the Central and Arctic fleet: CCGS Private Robertson V.C., CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C., CCGS Corporal Teather C.V., CCGS Constable Carrière and CCGS A. Leblanc), ACV CCGS Mamilossa, five search-and-rescue vessels, two specialty vessels, three near-shore fishery research vessels, 30 environmental barges, and 60 small craft.

Quick Facts

• Hero Class vessels are named for decorated soldiers, veterans and police officers as well as employees of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard.
• By naming these vessels after Canadian heroes, the Government of Canada hopes to encourage further generations to learn about Canadian history, culture and geography.
• Economic Action Plan 2012 provided $5.2 billion to renew the Canadian Coast Guard Fleet. This builds on $1.6 billion in fleet renewal investments committed over the previous seven years.

Quotes

"On the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the creation of the Royal 22e Régiment, our government is proud to recognize the courage and sacrifice of Corporal Joseph-Thomas Kaeble, who died in combat in 1918. This new mid-shore patrol vessel named in honour of Corporal Kaeble will serve as a reminder of this important piece of our history."

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"These unprecedented investments from our government to renew the Canadian Coast Guard fleet are making our waters safer, particularly the St. Lawrence. The CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C. will primarily be used to enhance national security, respond to potential threats and enforce regulations related to federal on-water requirements."

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Associated Links

• Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels

• CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C.

• Backgrounder: Caporal Joseph-Thomas Kaeble, V.C., M.M.

• Canadian Virtual War Memorial, Joseph Kaeble

• Marine Security Enforcement Teams

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