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, including two that have already 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. Delivery of both the second and third ships are expected this fiscal year; and
• A fourth interim icebreaker with “light” icebreaking capabilities: A revised RFP was released in mid-September 2020. It is expected to remain open for 40 days.

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