LÉVIS, Québec – The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, announced this past Saturday, that the Government of Canada has awarded a $3.25-billion contract (before tax) to Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (CDCI) for the construction of 1 of the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) future polar icebreakers under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). This marks a significant milestone in strengthening Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and security.
Through this agreement, Davie will deliver its production-ready heavy icebreaker design called the Polar Max to Canada by 2030. To support the rapid delivery of the ship, Davie will capitalize on the expertise of Helsinki Shipyard, which was acquired by Davie in 2023 with the support of the Québec government. Helsinki Shipyard has built over 50% of all the world’s icebreakers.
As part of its fleet renewal plan, the CCG is acquiring 2 polar icebreakers. The other polar icebreaker is being built by Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards. These vessels will strengthen the CCG’s Arctic presence, and have greater, more advanced capabilities than the current, most capable CCG icebreakers.
These larger, more powerful polar icebreakers will ensure the CCG’s operations continue at higher latitudes for longer periods, while allowing its fleet to better support Indigenous Peoples, strengthen Arctic security, advance high Arctic science and better respond to maritime emergencies.
Chantier Davie will be building this ship in Lévis, Quebec. To accelerate its production, Chantier Davie will also leverage its Canadian-owned shipyard in Finland, Helsinki Shipyard. With Finland’s unique expertise and track record building polar icebreakers, this will deliver Canadian ships faster and cheaper, and get them on the ice quicker. These investments are turbocharging the Canadian shipbuilding industry, creating good-paying jobs across Canada, and enhancing our defence and security partnerships around the world.
In the announcement, Minister Duclos also took the opportunity to officially launch the 15th anniversary of the NSS, which plays a major role in strengthening Canada’s economy, having created or maintained over 20,400 good middle-class jobs per year. Since 2010, Canadian shipyards have delivered 8 large vessels and 34 small vessels to the RCN and the CCG, while supporting federal fleets with critical repair, refit and maintenance work.
The Arctic is an integral part of Canada and home to 150,000 Canadians and generations of Indigenous Peoples. With transformative agreements like the ICE Pact, signed last November with the United States and Finland, and through Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence, Canada is investing in our collective defence and security in the Arctic.
“Canada will continue to work with its allies to protect our country, our continent and our democratic values”, Minister Duclos said.
Davie executive comments
Davie President & CEO, James Davies, said: “Today’s announcement is truly transformative. Canada deserves immense credit for partnering with Davie on this groundbreaking procurement. Delivering such a special ship in a timely manner is in the best interests of all Canadians. It will accelerate economic benefits for Quebecers and strengthen the skills of our talented Lévis’ shipbuilders. In a volatile world, we can and must forge shipbuilding collaborations with trusted allies like Finland to secure shared interests. If not now, then when?”
Commented Alex Vicefield, Chairman and CEO of Inocea, the parent company of Davie Shipbuilding: “It is fitting that this announcement comes as Davie celebrates its 200th anniversary. The construction of the polar icebreaker will create opportunities for our employees and will place us firmly on track to create thousands of jobs far more quickly. Our Québec suppliers will be rapidly activated to help us deliver this needed ship in record time. There is a geopolitical imperative to act to protect our interests and we thank the Government of Canada and the Government of Québec for their vision and recognizing the time is now.”
(Art rendering image – Davie)