Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a significant investment of $11.3 billion by the federal government into Quebec’s shipbuilding sector to construct six new icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. Describing it as the most substantial shipbuilding agreement in the province’s history, Carney highlighted that these new vessels will replace the coast guard’s older heavy and medium icebreakers, fulfilling a commitment made in 2019.
During the announcement alongside Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette at the Chantier Davie shipyard in Lévis, Que., Carney outlined the timeline for the project, stating that construction will commence next fall with the first ship expected to be delivered in five years, followed by the full fleet being operational five years thereafter. These icebreakers will be utilized in regions like Atlantic Canada, the St. Lawrence River during the winter, and in the Arctic during the summer.
Fréchette, who is entering a provincial election campaign, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the positive impact on Lévis. She noted that the contract will safeguard the province’s economic independence and provide employment opportunities for welders and technicians. Carney estimated that the construction of these vessels will support approximately 5,000 jobs.
The procurement of these icebreakers aligns with the federal government’s “Buy Canadian” policy and will involve the use of Canadian steel, according to Carney’s office. This funding announcement coincides with recent trade tensions with the United States, as President Donald Trump threatens additional tariffs on Canadian industries.
In 2024, Ottawa initially allocated $19.6 million to Davie under the national shipbuilding strategy to design the new Polar Class 3 icebreakers. This investment is part of a broader fleet renewal initiative by the coast guard, with the national shipbuilding strategy slated to oversee the delivery of a total of 88 new vessels by 2045.
