Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed that the federal administration plans to invest $11.3 billion in Quebec’s shipbuilding sector to construct six new icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. This initiative, described by Carney as the most significant shipbuilding agreement in the province’s history, aims to replace the coast guard’s aging heavy and medium icebreakers, fulfilling a commitment made back in 2019. Carney emphasized the swift progress of the project, stating that steel cutting for the first ship will commence next autumn, with the initial vessel expected to be ready for delivery five years thereafter, and the entire fleet operational five years following that. These icebreakers will operate in various regions, including Atlantic Canada, the St. Lawrence River during winter, and the Arctic during summer.
The announcement was made by Carney and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette at the Chantier Davie shipyard in Lévis, Quebec, where all six vessels will be built. Fréchette, who is gearing up for a provincial election campaign, hailed the development as a significant day for Lévis, emphasizing that the contract will safeguard the province’s economic independence and generate employment opportunities for professions like welders and technicians. Carney projected that the construction of these icebreakers will support around 5,000 jobs. The vessels will adhere to the federal government’s “Buy Canadian” procurement policy and will be constructed using Canadian steel, as per Carney’s office.
The funding announcement comes amidst recent breakdowns in trade discussions with the United States and escalating tariff threats from President Donald Trump targeting Canadian industries. In 2024, Ottawa had initially awarded a $19.6 million contract to Davie under the national shipbuilding strategy to design the new Polar Class 3 icebreakers. The Canadian Coast Guard is undergoing a significant fleet modernization process, with the national shipbuilding strategy overseeing the delivery of a total of 88 new vessels by 2045.
