Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed a plan by the federal government to invest $11.3 billion in Quebec’s shipbuilding sector to construct six new icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. Carney described this as the most significant shipbuilding agreement in the province’s history. These new vessels will replace the older heavy and medium icebreakers currently in use by the coast guard, fulfilling a commitment made in 2019.
During the announcement at the Chantier Davie shipyard in Lévis, Que., Carney stated that construction would proceed swiftly, with the first steel cutting scheduled for next fall. The initial ship is expected to be delivered five years later, followed by the entire fleet becoming operational five years after that. Carney emphasized that these icebreakers will be deployed in Atlantic Canada, the St. Lawrence River during severe winter conditions, and in the Arctic during the summer months.
The announcement was made in the presence of Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette. She expressed her satisfaction, particularly as the province heads into an upcoming election campaign, highlighting the positive impact the contract would have on Lévis. Fréchette emphasized that the agreement would safeguard the province’s economic independence and generate quality job opportunities for professions like welders and technicians.
Carney further revealed that this project would support around 5,000 jobs throughout the construction phase. The vessels will be constructed using Canadian steel in alignment with the federal government’s “Buy Canadian” procurement policy. This move comes at a critical time, with recent trade negotiations with the United States collapsing and President Donald Trump issuing fresh tariff threats against Canadian industries.
The contract with Davie shipyard is part of the national shipbuilding strategy, which aims to revamp the coast guard’s fleet. In 2024, an initial $19.6 million contract was awarded to Davie for the design of the six new Polar Class 3 icebreakers. Overall, the national shipbuilding strategy is set to oversee the delivery of 88 new vessels by 2045, marking a significant renewal of the coast guard’s fleet.
