For Immediate Release

November 26, 2014 – Ottawa, Ont. – Public Works and Government Services Canada

Today, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, spoke at the Shipbuilding Technology Forum about the Harper Government’s commitment to creating jobs and economic growth in Canada by leveraging procurement through initiatives like the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS), the new Defence Procurement Strategy and the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP).

Minister Finley highlighted that Vancouver Shipyards is on track for full production of the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels and that steel will be cut in spring 2015, and that Irving Shipbuilding will begin construction of the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships in fall 2015. Additionally, the Minister highlighted the modernization of Vancouver Shipyards and Irving Shipbuilding, both undertaking infrastructure upgrades by investing $170 million and $300 million respectively, at no cost to the federal government.

The NSPS continues to deliver economic benefits for Canada. As of October of this year, Vancouver Shipyards reported that it had awarded $120 million in contracts to suppliers in Canada. Irving Shipbuilding reported investments totaling $310 million with companies in Canada. In fact, more than 197 companies have already benefitted from these investments.

Quick Facts
The NSPS is a $36-billion 30‑year initiative to renew the fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian shipbuilding and marine industry.
An estimated 15,000 jobs and $2 billion are expected to be generated annually through the NSPS.
The Defence Procurement Strategy has three important objectives: ensuring our men and women in uniform get the equipment they need at the right price for taxpayers; streamlining defence procurement processes; and leveraging the purchase of defence equipment to create domestic jobs and growth.
The Harper Government plans to release the Value Proposition Guide in the coming weeks. This guide sets out an approach for leveraging economic benefits from future defence procurements.
As of September 2014, 156 innovations had been pre-qualified and 79 contracts had been awarded under the BCIP.
Quotes

“Through smart investments like our National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, our Government is creating jobs right here in Canada, while laying the foundation for future economic growth. Our shipbuilding strategy is bringing back the Canadian shipbuilding industry, creating an estimated 15,000 jobs across the country and generating $2 billion a year in economic benefits.”

The Honourable Diane Finley
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
Related Products

National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy

– 30 –

Contacts

Marcel Poulin
Office of the Honourable Diane Finley
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315

PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site.

Follow us on Twitter.

Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=909039