Canada: Government Unveils Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan

As part of its Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada released an Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan. This initiative, which focuses on maximizing opportunities for firms across the Atlantic region to participate in the $33-billion federal shipbuilding initiative announced late last year, was launched in Dartmouth by the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and La Francophonie and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia.

“These shipbuilding procurements represent a historic opportunity that will generate economic growth and create jobs in the four Atlantic Provinces in rural and urban communities,” said Minister Valcourt. “With this action plan, we want to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Atlantic Canada are in the best position to seize all opportunities related to these major procurements. This is a great occasion for us to foster a new generation of entrepreneurs who will acquire the expertise to compete on the world scene.”

“Work undertaken at Irving Shipbuilding’s Halifax shipyard will be sustained for decades and carries the real potential to radically transform the entire Atlantic economy. The shipbuilders of Atlantic Canada will create jobs, drive innovation and help build a world class industry,” explained Minister MacKay. “Through the Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan, our Government is helping Atlantic businesses understand and be part of the process and address such areas as innovation capacity, certification and workforce skills so they can compete as suppliers and sub-contractors.”

“Today marks another milestone in realizing the federal government’s commitment to build ships here at home,” said Jim Irving, CEO of Irving Shipbuilding Inc. “The new agreement we have embarked upon is a tribute to the skill and dedication of the proud tradition of shipbuilding in Atlantic Canada. We’re proud to be a part of this heritage and we understand our responsibility in building this industry and the next generation of shipbuilders into the future while delivering best value and quality to the men and women who serve.”

The Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan includes:

• Making sure Atlantic Canada small and medium-sized enterprises are fully aware of the process and the requirements to access supply chain opportunities;
• Giving small and medium-sized enterprises access to Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency programs to proactively support their development so that they can capitalize on these opportunities in areas such as marketing, acquisition of certification, process improvements, training, and technology acquisition;
• Engaging with community colleges and the provincial governments on skills and labour force research and planning; and
• Holding supplier development sessions in each Atlantic province as well as an Atlantic Marine Industry Forum.

In delivering the Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, in partnership with Irving Shipbuilding Inc., will host ‘Supplier Development Sessions’ in Bathurst and Moncton, New Brunswick; Summerside, Prince Edward Island; Truro and Shelburne, Nova Scotia and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador between February 21 and March 12, 2012. These information sessions will provide Atlantic small and medium-sized enterprises with an overview of the shipbuilding initiative and the critical information they need to become suppliers with marine supply chains.

On October 19, 2011, the Government of Canada announced the selection of the two shipyards that will build Canada’s large vessels for the next 20 – 30 years. Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. will build the non-combat vessels and Irving Shipbuilding Inc. will build the combat vessels. Smaller vessels will be competed amongst other Canadian shipyards. The strategy also calls for the repair, refit and maintenance of existing vessels.

On January 12, 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the Government of Canada has successfully reached an agreement in principle with both Irving Shipbuilding Inc. and Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd.

[mappress]

Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, February 17, 2012; Image: actionplan.gc