Harper Government Celebrates Start of Construction of First Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel

NORTH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 24, 2015) - Public Works and Government Services Canada

Today, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Andrew Saxton, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver and John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, witnessed the start of construction of the first Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV).

The Government of Canada recently awarded a build contract for the OFSV to Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards. The yard will deliver three of these vessels to the Canadian Coast Guard under a ceiling price of $514 million. MP Saxton also announced that the first ship, to be delivered in the spring of 2017, will be named CCGS Sir John Franklin in honour of the Arctic explorer. Franklin's ships, including HMS Erebus found in September 2014, are an important part of Canadian history given that his expeditions, which took place nearly 200 years ago, laid the foundations of Canada's Arctic sovereignty.

Through the historic undertaking of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS), Canada will deliver the ships needed by the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard to protect the security and interests of Canadians at home and abroad. This work will also bring long-term economic benefits to the marine industry and related sectors in communities across Canada. To date, Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards has awarded $211 million in contracts to 137 suppliers across Canada, primarily as a result of their shipyard modernization, which was done at no cost to Canada.

Quick Facts

• The OFSV alone will create an estimated 500 jobs at Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards.

• The OFSV will replace three existing Coast Guard vessels on the East and West Coasts of Canada and will be used for critical scientific research and ecosystem-based management, and will add to the Coast Guard's network of Search and Rescue resources.

• The overall project budget for the OFSV is $687 million and includes vessel design and build, project operations, as well as initial spare parts, support and contingencies.

• The NSPS will create an estimated 15,000 jobs and result in over $2 billion in annual economic benefits for 30 years.

• Other vessels to be built at Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards as part of NSPS include an Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel, Joint Support Ships, a Polar Icebreaker, Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessels and Offshore Patrol Vessels.

Quotes

"I am proud of the investment we made in providing the Canadian Coast Guard with the equipment it needs, and even more so of the commitment to revamp our shipbuilding industry. We will continue to work closely with Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards to ensure that Canadian taxpayers get the best value for their money and that suppliers across Canada benefit from this contract."

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services

"Our Government has made unprecedented investments to renew the Canadian Coast Guard fleet since 2006. These new offshore fisheries science vessels will allow Fisheries and Oceans Canada's scientists to pursue their important work that allow Canada's fisheries to be prosperous and sustainable. They will also, when needed, respond to emergencies such as search and rescue cases."

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

"It's great to see the shipyards in North Vancouver once again teeming with activity. The revitalization of the ship building industry here in North Vancouver, thanks to our government's National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, will have a significant impact on the local economy. Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards expects to create and sustain approximately 500 jobs as a direct result of this contract. It is also generating significant opportunities for local businesses to become part of the supply chain for the work being undertaken here, which is great news for North Vancouver, and indeed, the lower mainland."

Andrew Saxton, Member of Parliament - North Vancouver

"I think we can all agree that the rejuvenation of Canada's shipbuilding industry is already a tremendous success story. It is generating concrete results for our communities here in the North Shore, in B.C. and in towns and cities all across Canada."

John Weston, Member of Parliament - West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country

Associated Links

National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy

PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site.

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