Question Period Note: Acquisition of an Interim Light Icebreaker

• The Canadian Coast Guard is building new ships to renew its fleet.
• In 2019, the Government of Canada announced an unprecedented investment in 24 new large ships – all to be built in Canada under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
• As building new ships will take time, the Government is also funding interim measures, including a comprehensive Vessel Life Extension program, to bridge between the current and future fleet.
• As with the three commercial icebreakers acquired in 2018, this fourth “light” icebreaker is an interim measure to backfill for Coast Guard ships while they are undergoing vessel life extension work.
• Coast Guard’s use of interim measures facilitates shipbuilding in Canada, helping to sustain operational capabilities until new ships can be delivered under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

• The Canadian Coast Guard is building new ships to renew its fleet. Funded replacement plans are currently in place for up to 29 large ships, including:
• Three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels, all of which have been delivered;
• One Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel;
• One Polar Icebreaker;
• Up to 16 Multi-Purpose Vessels;
• Two Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (Coast Guard variants of ships currently in construction for the Department of National Defence); and
• Up to six Program Icebreakers.
• Coast Guard is also adopting interim measures to minimize service interruptions for clients until replacement vessels come online. This includes:
• A comprehensive Vessel Life Extension program to maintain the current fleet operational as new ships are being built;
• Acquisition of four interim icebreakers to backfill for ships while Vessel Life Extension work is undertaken. This includes:
• Three interim icebreakers with “medium” icebreaking capabilities: The first, CCGS Captain Molly Kool, came into service December 2018. The second, CCGS Jean Goodwill, joined the Coast Guard fleet in late 2020. Delivery of the third ship, CCGS Vincent Massey, is expected in 2021; and
• A fourth interim icebreaker with “light” icebreaking capabilities: A revised RFP was released in mid-September 2020 and closed on November 17, 2020. Bid evaluations are expected to occur in January 2021 with contract award planned for spring 2021.

None