In an Open Letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Quebec Premier François Legault has urged the Canadian government to accelerate the purchase of “several” new polar icebreakers to defend Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic amid rising Russian and Chinese ambitions and to appease certain concerns expressed by US President Donald Trump. It would also demonstrate to NATO allies that Canada was playing a crucial role in preserving Arctic security while defending its territory in the Arctic and the North West Passage.
At present, the federal government has pledged to build one polar icebreaker at Chantier Davie in Lévis, Quebec and one at Seaspan shipyard in Vancouver. Mr. Legault proposes the additional icebreakers should be built at the Davie shipyard.
The Canadian Coast Guard currently operates a fleet of 18 icebreakers, including the Louis S. St-Laurent heavy icebreaker (per photo).
Responding on X social media platform, Davie applauded the initiative on Wednesday by Mr. Legault in these terms: “François Legault is fundamentally right. Canada and the West need more icebreakers and we need them now, not in 10 years. Davie stands ready to deliver these ships.”
(Photo from Canadian Coast Guard)