Novocastrian

I actually think the Arctic sovereignty issue one that needs to be addressed, and I admit to not having looked into the details of this procurement. Do you happen to know (or link to) what fraction of this huge amount is targeted at Arctic capable shipping?

Also, I think there are many, many other more effective ways to assert sovereignty in the north other than sailing around waving the Maple Leaf.

JonboyE

To the province of the Defense Secretary the lion's share of the contract.

To the province that sends a lot of Conservative MPs to Parliament the lesser contract.

To the province that gave the Tories a good kicking at the last election bugger all.

Maybe it it is just me but all the fuss they have made about it being on merit, decided by civil servants, and not politically motivated screams that it was a highly political decision.

nldfc

Can I change my vote

Great news for Nova Scotia

Novocastrian

Yes well, no smoke without fire and all that. But do you have any information about why these contracts are a sensible thing? No one else seems to want to pick up the question.

Atlantic Xpat

Surprised that QC got the shaft and by the scale of Halifax Shipyard's win. Good spin off benefits for the whole region hopefully. Shame Kiewet in Marystown withdrew!

ExKiwilass

yay Halifax! Amazed BC got any, I was convinced Quebec would because, well, it's special

Alan2005

We all know these ships will just get used as payment so that harper will be allowed to nosh off the POTUS.

JonboyE

Why is it sensible? No, you've got me there.

JonboyE

As far as I can tell BC seems pretty happy with what it has got. The main reason the Halifax contract is so much more is that is is for fighting ships and all the whizzes and bangs cost a lot of money. However, as someone already said above they will likely be made elsewhere.

In terms of secure, well paid jobs in the shipyards there is not all that much difference.

Lord Vader

I just noticed this thread now, but I was assuming NS would get the larger contract. 75% of the Navy is based there and they are/were a shipbuilding town. McKay being the minster of Defense and from Pictou helps too.

Lord Vader

cause we have a big country and the longest coastline in the world.
row boats and rubber dinghy's are not as effective.
we have responsibilities.

Novocastrian

I fear you may be right. Which further undermines the Arctic sovereignty thingy.

After all the biggest challenge to that is the POTUS.

Novocastrian

And this a new thing because...?

Edit: Oh yes, because climate change fueled, in part by Harper's refusal to take the issue seriously and by his insistence on making Canada a worldwide pariah with the oil-sands, is melting the ice up there and soon the US will want to send much of it's maritime commerce through there, destroying the fragile ecosystems on the way.

Solution: spend $35b on some gunboats (most of which are no help at all) and wave the Maple Leaf.

<I'm in favour though of the job creational effects of the big investments, it's just that spending the same amount on something useful would seem more rational to most>.

Lord Vader

My understanding is that it is not new. I reckon it is plate tectonics that is to blame for the worlds longest coastline part, not Harper or Alberta.

I do agree that increased traffic along our coast is a good reason though, in addition to our existing ships growing older and becoming obsolete.

Alan2005

Wouldn't submarines be more useful? the ruskies have them, and we all know they are going to try and steal all canadas oil eventually.