Irving seeks clarity on federal shipbuilding projects

Irving Shipbuilding is looking for reassurance from the federal government that itplans to build coast guard and navy ships in Halifax and Vancouver and not at the Davie shipyard in Quebec.

"We call upon the federal government to confirm to Irving Shipbuilding, our shipbuilders and their families, the province of Nova Scotia, and all Atlantic Canadians that the National Shipbuilding Strategy remains intact and, therefore, construction of the ships for Canada's navy and coast guard will be done exclusively by Irving Shipbuilding and Vancouver Shipyards," Irving Shipbuilding said in a press release.

The controversy developed late last week when Steven MacKinnon, MP forGatineauand parliamentary secretary to the minister of Public Service and Procurement Canada, stated the Davie shipyard in Lvis, Quebec, will have opportunities to bid on and win work under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

"The men and women of the Halifax Shipyard are concerned that these remarks signal the possible redirection of shipbuilding work out of Atlantic Canada," Irving Shipbuilding said in its news release. The company would not provide any further comment and declined an interview.

A spokesperson for Carla Qualtrough, the federal minister of Public Service and Procurement, toldCBC News that theannouncement on Friday did not make any changes on the way forward for the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

"As has always been the case under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, further opportunities exist for Canadian shipyards, including Davie, for small vessel construction, conversion work, maintenance, repair and refit contracts,"Ashley Michnowski said in an email Tuesday.

$610M contract for Davie

Last week, federal Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, who represents the Quebec City region, announced the signing of a $610-million contract to acquire and convert three icebreakers to renew the Canadian Coast Guard's aging fleet.

Irving Shipbuilding says in developing the framework for the shipbuilding strategy, the federal government acknowledged there was not enough future large ship construction required for the navy and coast guard to sustain more than two shipyards and their workforces.

In 2011, a competitive process led to Irving Shipbuilding and Vancouver Shipyards being selected over Davieto build Canada's future fleets.