As demands on Canada's Arctic safety and security continue to grow, driven by increased commercial shipping, the impacts of climate change, and the rapid transformation of the Arctic region, the next step has been taken in advancing the construction of the Canadian Coast Guard's new polar icebreaker to enable a strong, modern, and year‑round presence in the North.
Today, the Honourable Joel Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, joined by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Economic Development for Quebec Regions were in Lévis, Québec to celebrate the start of Canadian production at Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (CDCI) for the Polar Max Icebreaker, one of two new Polar Icebreakers being constructed for the Canadian Coast Guard. This milestone marks the beginning of full‑rate construction at CDCI's Canadian shipyard and represents a significant advancement in the renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard Arctic-capable fleet under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
The construction of two new polar icebreakers is estimated to contribute approximately $420M annually to Canada's gross domestic product and support over 3,000 jobs in the Canadian economy. National Shipbuilding Strategy contracts are estimated to have contributed approximately $38.7 billion ($2.8 billion annually) to Canada's gross domestic product, and created or maintained close to 21,400 jobs annually between 2012 and 2024. Examples include partnerships such as CDCI's sourcing of Canadian-made steel for the Polar Max icebreaker at Algoma Steel's facilities in Sault Ste. Marie.
The Canadian Coast Guard's new Polar Icebreakers will bolster Canada's presence in a rapidly changing Arctic by supporting vital operations, including icebreaking, search and rescue, environmental response, Arctic science, and resupply of essential goods for Northern communities. Once completed, both Polar Icebreakers-one being built at Vancouver Shipyards and the other at Chantier Davie-will work together to enhance a continuous, year‑round Canadian presence in the Arctic.
The new Polar Icebreakers will be among the most capable icebreakers in the world and are an example of the Government of Canada enhancing Canada's Arctic sovereignty and security. The Government of Canada has achieved the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) 2% of gross domestic product defence spending target in the 2025-26 fiscal year, marking a significant milestone in Canada's approach to national defence and collective security. Canada is investing more than $63 billion in defence across the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, and other government partners. This represents a significant increase in defence spending over the past year, driven by targeted investments in military personnel, readiness, equipment, and infrastructure, as well as in the defence industrial base and in eligible defence expenditures across government, consistent with NATO reporting practices.
