Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed that the federal government is set to inject $11.3 billion into Quebec’s shipbuilding sector to construct six new icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. Carney described this endeavor as the most substantial shipbuilding agreement in the province’s history, aiming to replace the aging heavy and medium icebreakers of the coast guard as pledged in 2019.
“We will proceed swiftly. The initial steel cutting is scheduled for next fall, the first vessel will be delivered in five years, and the complete fleet will be operational five years thereafter,” Carney announced. These icebreakers will be deployed in Atlantic Canada, the St. Lawrence River during winter, and in the Arctic throughout summer.
The announcement took place at the Chantier Davie shipyard in Lévis, Quebec, with Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette by Carney’s side. Fréchette, gearing up for a provincial election campaign, hailed the day as a significant one for Lévis. She emphasized that the contract will safeguard the economic sovereignty of the province and generate employment opportunities for skilled workers like welders and technicians.
Carney highlighted that the agreement will create 5,000 jobs during the construction phase. The vessels fall under the federal government’s “Buy Canadian” procurement policy and will be constructed using Canadian steel, as per Carney’s office.
This development comes shortly after trade discussions with the United States collapsed, and amidst new tariff threats from President Donald Trump targeting Canadian industries. In 2024, Ottawa initially awarded a $19.6 million contract to Davie under the national shipbuilding strategy to design the six new Polar Class 3 icebreakers. The coast guard is undergoing a significant fleet modernization, with the national shipbuilding strategy overseeing the delivery of a total of 88 new vessels by 2045.