CTV host Mercedes Stephenson and participants in the panel, along with CTV's online story, suggested that "Quebec's Davie Shipyard will be granted the contract." However, Irving Shipbuilding understands that the Government has not yet fully evaluated all industry proposals and has not determined which proposal will be selected.

At the request of the Federal Government in the fall of 2014, Irving Shipbuilding submitted a comprehensive proposal and we have collectively spent a significant amount of time and money developing an innovative, low-risk, rapid, and low-cost ship conversion and crewing proposal. We expect that our proposal will be evaluated by the Government in an open, transparent, and fair manner and that the proposal that offers the best value to Canada will be selected.  

We are very confident that our proposal is superior. It provides tremendous capability and flexibility to meet the needs of Canada's Navy in the shortest possible time, with the lowest risk based on modular construction in our new $350 million world-class shipbuilding facilities in Halifax.
We currently have over 400 workers on layoff. The conversion of a commercial ship to meet Canada's needs by the qualified Irving Shipbuilding team will allow us to recall workers on layoff, levelling our work force needs over the next two years and ensuring a smooth transition to building the Arctic Offshore Supply Ships.

Our workforce is ready and anxious to come back to work.  Canada can rely on the reputation and the proven track record of the Irving Shipbuilding team to deliver this much needed capability. 

We eagerly await the completion of this procurement by Canada in an open, transparent, and fair manner that achieves best value for Canada.

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CONTACT: 

Mary Keith
Vice President, Communications
Irving Shipbuilding
(506) 632-5122 office
keith.mary@jdirving.com