On August 24, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a significant investment by the federal government, which will allocate $11.3 billion to Quebec's shipbuilding industry. This funding is designated for the construction of six new icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard, making it the largest shipbuilding contract in the province's history.
During the announcement made at the Chantier Davie shipyard in Lévis, Quebec, Carney emphasized a swift timeline for the project. He stated that the first steel would be cut in the following fall, with the first icebreaker set to be delivered five years later. The entire fleet is expected to be operational five years thereafter, contributing vital services in Atlantic Canada and the St. Lawrence throughout the winter, as well as in the Arctic during the summer months.
Carney highlighted that this contract aims to replace the aging heavy and medium icebreakers currently in service and will support approximately 5,000 jobs throughout the construction phase. Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette, who was present during the announcement, celebrated the contract's potential to bolster the province's economic sovereignty and produce skilled jobs for welders and technicians amidst her upcoming provincial election campaign.
Addressing the economic climate and bilateral tensions with the United States, Fréchette remarked, “some people might want to rule over us, but the province will not yield to any kind of threat.” This statement comes in light of recent trade negotiations with the U.S. that collapsed, as President Donald Trump issued renewed tariff threats against Canadian industries.
This initiative aligns with the federal government’s “Buy Canadian” procurement policy, ensuring that the icebreakers will be constructed using Canadian steel. Carney's office confirmed that the project will engage over 1,500 suppliers from across Canada, including steel manufacturers such as Algoma Steel from Sault Ste. Marie, Brannon Steel from Brampton, and Stigterstaal from Hamilton.
However, the announcement did not escape criticism. Conservative defence critic James Bezan took to social media, expressing frustration over the lengthy duration from the initial announcement of the icebreaker replacement to the finalization of the contract, which he noted took seven years. He remarked, “Finally, a Liberal announcement that comes with a contract” while questioning the claims of unprecedented speed in project execution.
Ottawa first announced the procurement for the icebreakers in 2019, with the initial $19.6 million contract awarded to Davie in 2024 as part of the national shipbuilding strategy, which aims to deliver a total of 88 new vessels by 2045 for the Coast Guard’s fleet renewal.
At the press conference, Carney was asked about Canada's collaboration with the United States under the trilateral ICE Pact, designed to support icebreaker manufacturing. He underscored the significance of this partnership, stating it serves as "a reminder of one of the many, many things that the United States needs from Canada." The ICE Pact, which includes contributions from Canada, the U.S., and Finland, was signed in 2024 and aims to build 11 icebreakers using Finnish designs with assistance from Davie shipyard.
Carney concluded the announcement by remarking on the long-term implications of the project. He expressed optimism for future collaboration with the United States, emphasizing that while today's announcement is critical, the anticipated developments are even more crucial and must be conducted on terms favorable for Canadians.
