Close X
Sunday, November 17, 2024
ADVT 
National

Shipbuilders Call For Federal Strategy Overhaul To Avoid An 'Embarrassment'

The Canadian Press, 17 Feb, 2016 12:55 PM
    OTTAWA — The Shipbuilding Association of Canada is hoping the Liberal government will change course when it comes to the renewal of the country's navy and civilian fleets.
     
    The industry group said Wednesday that the current strategy, laid out in the former Harper government's national shipbuilding program, is not working and has led to "unaffordable and untenable" renewal programs.
     
    It also wants to see the overall marquee strategy reopened "to include any Canadian shipyard capable of delivering ships to the program."
     
    "Given the age profile of our fleet and corresponding potential safety issues for our brave men and women, there is no time for delay," the association said in a statement.
     
    Documents leaked to The Canadian Press show that the Liberal cabinet will be asked to put more money into the coast guard's $144-million offshore oceanographic science vessel project in order to build the long-awaited ship.
     
    Costs for a separate program to build three fisheries science vessels have soared by 181 per cent to almost $700 million.
     
    The Liberals have also been warned that the navy's frigate replacements are going to cost substantially more than the $26 billion that was earmarked eight years ago.
     
     
    The association said that before the shipbuilding strategy was finalized in 2010, it tried unsuccessfully to persuade the Conservative government to adopt a looser model, rather than designating just two yards to build both the combat and non-combat fleets.
     
    "It provided a logical and common-sense approach as to how Canada could obtain the ships it needs at a competitive cost, within the time frames required by the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard," said a report, released Wednesday. 
     
    The Conservatives opted for Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax and Vancouver's Seaspan yard as its go-to companies.
     
    Although initially praised, the strategy has yet to produce a single ship — and the association says those delays are driving up costs to the point where entire programs are on the line.
     
    "Only competition will drive value-for-money for Canadian taxpayers," the association said.
     
    The group's position puts the Trudeau government in a bit of a bind: the shipbuilding strategy was one of the few Conservative-era policies the Liberals chose to endorse.
     
    Nonetheless, a select cabinet committee is said to be reviewing the program in light of the soaring costs.
     
    The association says the Conservative strategy is "non-binding" and should be jettisoned "before the program becomes an embarrassment to Canada and its shipbuilding industry."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Cases Of Mesothelioma, Deadly Cancer Caused By Asbestos Exposure, On Rise: Statistics Canada

    Cases Of Mesothelioma, Deadly Cancer Caused By Asbestos Exposure, On Rise: Statistics Canada
    Described as a "cruel" disease, mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs as a result of inhaling asbestos dust and fibres.

    Cases Of Mesothelioma, Deadly Cancer Caused By Asbestos Exposure, On Rise: Statistics Canada

    Opposition Says Government Needs To Be Clearer About Options To Balance Budget

    Opposition Says Government Needs To Be Clearer About Options To Balance Budget
    REGINA — Premier Brad Wall says Saskatchewan's finance minister was talking about options governments face when they're short revenue when he used the phrase "draconian cuts."

    Opposition Says Government Needs To Be Clearer About Options To Balance Budget

    Fight Brewing Between Moosehead Breweries, Regina Beer Maker Over Beer Name

    Fight Brewing Between Moosehead Breweries, Regina Beer Maker Over Beer Name
    Moosehead Breweries of Ontario has informed Regina's District Brewery that it opposes the name of District's flagship beer, Mues Knuckle.

    Fight Brewing Between Moosehead Breweries, Regina Beer Maker Over Beer Name

    Government-Assisted Syrians To Dominate Arrivals By End Of February

    Government-Assisted Syrians To Dominate Arrivals By End Of February
    A plan rolled out last fall had the Liberals aiming to bring 10,000 Syrians to Canada through private sponsorship and a further 15,000 under government assistance by the end of February.

    Government-Assisted Syrians To Dominate Arrivals By End Of February

    B.C. Ranchers Protect 4,500 Hectares Of Land From Development: Conservancy

    B.C. Ranchers Protect 4,500 Hectares Of Land From Development: Conservancy
    INVERMERE, B.C. — A southeastern British Columbia ranch 11 times the size of Stanley Parks has been protected from development by its owners.

    B.C. Ranchers Protect 4,500 Hectares Of Land From Development: Conservancy

    Feds Seek More Cities To Take Syrian Refugees But Will Only Pay Until Next Year

    Feds Seek More Cities To Take Syrian Refugees But Will Only Pay Until Next Year
    OTTAWA — More cities could see Syrian refugees sent their way but federal funds to help support them will only last until March 2017.

    Feds Seek More Cities To Take Syrian Refugees But Will Only Pay Until Next Year