Senator Gold: The government is committed to building a world-class marine industry through the National Shipbuilding Strategy. To achieve that, and to meet the evolving needs of the Canadian Coast Guard, the government, I’m advised, is moving forward with the construction of two polar icebreakers at Canadian shipyards — at Davie shipyard in Lévis, and Seaspan in Vancouver. It will be done under the auspices of the National Shipbuilding Strategy to support communities, the High Arctic, science and Canadian sovereignty in the North.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, on Tuesday, the Auditor General released a report that referenced significant delays in procuring Arctic‑capable vessels and icebreakers. When it comes to the icebreaker fleet, that fleet is now between 35 and 53 years of age. It’s urgent that the vessels be replaced since, given the age of the ships, a major failure could occur at any time, leader, yet no replacement vessel has been ordered, let alone construction started.

Why has this government failed so completely in addressing the issue — an issue that is so vital for Canada?

Senator Plett: Government leader, in 2019, the government announced that it would add a third shipyard to the National Shipbuilding Strategy specifically for the purpose of building icebreakers. That shipyard was to be Davie Shipbuilding in Quebec.

In 2020, the government indicated that an agreement with Davie, adding it as a third shipyard, would be initiated by the end of 2020. Nothing happened, government leader.

In 2021, the government publicly stated that an agreement with Davie, adding it as a third shipyard, would be initiated by the end of 2021. Again, nothing happened.

Now, this past June, the government said once again that an agreement with Davie would be reached by the end of this year. Government leader, is something actually going to happen this year or will there just be another promise next year?