Province Takes Another Step to Support Good Jobs in Shipbuilding

The province and Irving Shipbuilding are taking another step to prepare for the 30 years of opportunities and good jobs that the federal shipbuilding contracts will bring to Nova Scotia.

Irving Shipbuilding will buy a Barrington Street water lot that has been leased from the province for $1 every five years since 1982. The lot is surrounded by a larger water lot already owned by Irving Shipbuilding. This purchase is necessary for the company to meet requirements for the federal government's National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. The lease was transferred to Irving Shipbuilding when it bought the shipyard in 1994.

"Nova Scotians want good jobs and a growing economy, and the shipbuilding contracts represent a tremendous opportunity for workers and businesses across the province," said Economic and Rural Development Minister Percy Paris. "We've built a lot of momentum over the past year, and we have to keep these preparations moving forward. This sale is one more step in making sure we're ready to take full advantage of the shipbuilding work."

An independent assessment was completed by Turner Drake. The market value of the property was determined to be $95,000. Irving Shipbuilding must purchase the lot to have a deed of licence as it starts federal shipbuilding projects.

"We are pleased to complete the sale of this water lot, which is an important step under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy," said Ross Langley, vice-chairman of Irving Shipbuilding. "This transaction, as well as ongoing negotiations with Canada to complete the arctic offshore patrol ships definition contract, moves us closer to beginning work on the first combat vessels for Canada's Navy."

The province recently released a study prepared by Duke University that analyzes the range of activities needed to create, produce, deliver and maintain the arctic offshore patrol ships and polar icebreaker and research vessels. It also shows how local companies could become suppliers to the shipbuilding programs in Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

"The federal shipbuilding contracts are among the largest economic opportunities Nova Scotia has seen," said Mr. Paris. "The province is working with our partners and supporting Nova Scotians and businesses with the tools and information needed to help make the most of the huge shipbuilding opportunity."

The federal shipbuilding contracts will provide work for the next 30 years and, based on the economic study by the Conference Board of Canada, are estimated to generate 11,500 direct and indirect jobs Nova Scotia when the project hits its stride in a few years' time.