Cap-aux-Meules, Quebec - Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is working with Indigenous and coastal communities and stakeholders in the marine industry to help maintain safe and clean Canadian waters and coasts today and for future generations.
The Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, on behalf of the the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, was in Cap‑aux-Meules today to participate in the official commissioning of the new High Endurance Self-Righting Search and Rescue Lifeboat, named CCGS Baie de Plaisance.
As part of the Oceans Protection Plan, the Minister also announced the delivery of new emergency tow kits and nearly 35 new pieces of environmental response equipment to be deployed across Quebec to ensure that the Coast Guard has the necessary tools and equipment to protect mariners and the marine environment.
On May 22, the Prime Minister announced a renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet, including the construction of nearly 18 large ships and over $2 billion in vessel life extension work, refits and maintenance of the existing fleet. The Coast Guard can rely on modern vessels and has the necessary tools and technology to carry out its missions.
- 30 -
Quotes
"I am proud that the Cap-aux-Meules search and rescue station can rely on a new boat. The CCGS Baie de Plaisance, built at the Forillon shipyard in Gaspé, can manoeuvre in difficult weather conditions. Its acquisition demonstrates our Government's ongoing commitment to improving the Canadian Coast Guard's response capability."
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine
"It is important for the Government of Canada to provide the Canadian Coast Guard with the equipment it needs to ensure the safety of mariners and protect the marine environment. Our investment in these new Bay Class search and rescue vessels improves the critical marine search and rescue services we provide every day in our waters, while supporting and promoting the Canadian marine industry. "
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick facts
-
The Canadian Coast Guard leads the maritime component of the federal Search and Rescue system through distress monitoring and coordinating the response to marine incidents. It also provides assistance to disabled vessels and those in distress on the water.
-
The Government of Canada has awarded contracts, each to build 10 boats, to the Forillon shipyard in Gaspé, in Quebec, and to Hike Metal Products in Wheatley, in Ontario. The total investment for the new lifeboats is over $160 million (including taxes) and has created and supported more than 35 jobs.
-
The CCGS Baie de Plaisance was built by the Forillon shipyard and delivered to the Coast Guard in November 2017. To date, five of these 20 new lifeboats have been delivered, built as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (small vessels) and the Fleet Renewal Plan.
-
Emergency tow kits will be installed on the icebreakers CCGS Amundsen, CCGS Des Groseilliers, CCGS Pierre Radisson and CCGS Martha L. Black, which are all based in Quebec City.
-
The new environmental response equipment consists of a set of beach steps, curtain booms, parallel generators with connectors, a generator, a portable skimmer and sorbent kit.
