Prince Edward Island’s Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister, Richard Brown, today expressed concern over the cancellation of two major shipbuilding projects by the federal government.
The Government of Canada has cancelled the Joint Support Ship program, the Canadian Navy’s $2.9 billion project to replace aging ships. Ottawa also cancelled a tender call for the purchase of 12 mid-shore patrol ships for the Canadian Coast Guard. The decisions were announced Friday night by Federal Public Works Minister Christian Paradis.
Minister Brown said the federal government’s decision is a tremendous blow to the economy in Atlantic Canada as well as the Canadian Navy and Coast Guard. He said companies such as East Isle Shipyard in Georgetown are capable of fulfilling contracts for mid-shore patrol ships for the Canadian Coast Guard.
“The replacement of the mid-shore patrol ships could create nearly 150 full-time jobs in eastern PEI for nearly three years,” he said. “This would generate millions of dollars in economic spinoffs for the Island economy. It is unfortunate that companies in Atlantic Canada won’t have a chance to compete for contracts to replace the aging patrol vessels and Coast Guard ships.”
Minister Brown said he and his colleagues in Atlantic Canada had requested a meeting with Federal Minister Jim Prentice to discuss the issue before any decisions were made. Regional industrial development ministers are scheduled to meet later this week in Halifax to discuss the future of the Joint Support Ship program.
“I am disappointed that the Minister didn’t meet with the provincial ministers in Atlantic Canada before cancelling the contract,” he said. “It is important for the provincial and federal governments to work together to ensure companies and workers in Atlantic Canada do not lose this economic opportunity. Our shipbuilding industry has the training, dedication and expertise required to compete with the best in the world.”
Allan Campbell, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, also expressed his disappointment with the cancellation of the program.
“East Isle Shipyard is extremely important to the economy of eastern PEI,” said Minister Campbell. “Supporting the shipbuilding industry would provide good quality jobs for skilled workers in our local communities.”
“The Government of Prince Edward Island along with governments in Atlantic Canada will continue to work with the federal government to support the shipbuilding industry by re-instating the Joint Support Ship and Mid-Shore Patrol Ship replacement programs,” said Brown.