Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed that the federal government is set to invest $11.3 billion into Quebec’s shipbuilding sector for the construction of six new icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. This is being hailed as the largest shipbuilding contract in Quebec’s history.
The new icebreakers will replace the aging heavy and medium icebreakers currently in use by the coast guard, fulfilling a commitment made back in 2019. Carney emphasized a speedy process, with the first steel expected to be cut next fall. The first ship is slated for delivery in five years, and the entire fleet is projected to be operational five years after that. These icebreakers will be deployed in Atlantic Canada, the St. Lawrence River during winter, and the Arctic during summer.
The announcement was made at the Chantier Davie shipyard in Lévis, Que., with Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette present. Fréchette, gearing up for a provincial election campaign, lauded the contract as a significant advancement for Lévis, emphasizing the protection of the province’s economic independence and the creation of skilled job opportunities like welding and technical positions.
Carney highlighted that the project will support approximately 5,000 jobs during the construction phase. The vessels will adhere to the federal government’s “Buy Canadian” procurement policy and will be constructed using Canadian steel.
This development follows recent trade tensions with the United States, as talks collapsed, and President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs against Canadian businesses. In 2024, Ottawa initially awarded Davie a $19.6 million contract under the national shipbuilding strategy to design the six new Polar Class 3 icebreakers. The Canadian Coast Guard is undergoing a significant fleet modernization, with a total of 88 new vessels expected to be delivered by 2045 under the national shipbuilding strategy.