Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a significant investment of $11.3 billion by the federal government into Quebec’s shipbuilding industry to construct six new icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. This project marks the largest shipbuilding contract in the history of the province, replacing the aging heavy and medium icebreakers as promised in 2019.
Carney emphasized a speedy timeline for the project, stating that the first steel cutting will take place next fall, with the initial vessel delivery scheduled for five years later. The full fleet is expected to be operational five years after that. These icebreakers will be utilized in various regions, including Atlantic Canada, the St. Lawrence River throughout winter, and the Arctic during summer.
The announcement, made in collaboration with Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette at the Chantier Davie shipyard in Lévis, Que., is set to boost the local economy and create job opportunities in fields such as welding and technical expertise. The contract is projected to support around 5,000 jobs during the construction phase.
These vessels will be constructed using Canadian steel, aligning with the federal government’s “Buy Canadian” procurement policy. The decision to invest in domestic production comes amidst recent trade tensions, including the breakdown of trade talks with the United States and new tariff threats from President Donald Trump.
Notably, the government had previously awarded Davie a $19.6-million contract in 2024 under the national shipbuilding strategy to design the new Polar Class 3 icebreakers. This initiative is part of a broader fleet renewal plan, with the national shipbuilding strategy aiming to deliver a total of 88 new vessels by 2045 to the Canadian Coast Guard.