Quebec Eyes More Federal Shipbuilding Contracts

Quebec's National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion in support of the Federal government's reform or 'refresh' of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

The motion called upon the federal government to endorse the House of Commons and Senate's recommendations to proceed immediately with the construction at Davie Shipbuilding of a second Resolve-Class Naval Support Ship as well as a new fleet of icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard.

During 2017, the Federal government conducted a review of the National Shipbuilding Strategy in order to reform the failed strategy and begin to deliver ships for Canada in a timely and cost-effective manner. The Quebec marine industry workers and suppliers are now awaiting the widely anticipated policy refresh.

James Davies, President of Davie Shipbuilding said, "The first Resolve-Class Naval Support Ship, Asterix, has performed flawlessly at full capacity since she was delivered in January 2018. In order to ensure the success of the government's defence policy - Strong, Secure and Engaged - as well as the navy's Leadmark 2050 plan, we need to begin the construction of a second ship without delay.

"I also wish to highlight the outstanding leadership of the Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier Mr. Donald Martel in this matter of primary importance for the newly elected Quebec government, as well as the role of the Magdalen Islands MNA, Joël Arseneau, in supporting the motion aimed at including Quebec in the Shipbuilding Strategy," he added.

Jacques Letourneau, President of the CSN said: "A shipbuilding strategy which leaves out 50% of Canada's shipbuilding capacity will never be a 'national' one and it certainly will never be a successful one, as time has shown. Seven years, no ships and billions wasted. .

Richard Tremblay, Vice-President of the Chantier Davie Canada Suppliers' Association stated, "The Emerson Report (2016) is clear: The Navy and Coast Guard ships are having to be decommissioned faster than they can be replaced. Although the current government inherited this mess, it is now their responsibility to fix it and the 879 Davie Shipbuilding suppliers in Quebec stand ready to help them."