Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed plans for the federal government to invest $11.3 billion into Quebec’s shipbuilding sector for the construction of six new icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. This initiative, described by Carney as the most significant shipbuilding agreement in Quebec’s history, aims to replace the Coast Guard’s outdated heavy and medium icebreakers, fulfilling a commitment made in 2019.
Carney emphasized the urgency of the project, stating that steel cutting for the new ships will commence next fall, with the first vessel scheduled for delivery in five years and the entire fleet operational within ten years. These icebreakers will operate in various challenging environments, including Atlantic Canada, the St. Lawrence River during winter, and the Arctic during summer.
The announcement took place at the Chantier Davie shipyard in Lévis, Que., where all six icebreakers will be constructed. Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette, who joined Carney for the announcement, hailed the investment as a significant milestone for Lévis, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding the province’s economic independence and creating job opportunities for professions such as welders and technicians.
Carney revealed that the project is expected to generate 5,000 jobs during the construction phase and highlighted that the icebreakers will be built using Canadian steel in line with the federal government’s “Buy Canadian” procurement policy. This development follows the recent breakdown of trade negotiations with the United States and escalating tariff threats from President Donald Trump against Canadian industries.
In 2024, Ottawa awarded an initial $19.6 million contract to Davie as part of the national shipbuilding strategy to design the six new Polar Class 3 icebreakers. The Coast Guard’s fleet renewal is a crucial component of the national shipbuilding strategy, which aims to deliver a total of 88 new vessels by 2045.