The Government of Canada concludes two procurement arrangements to support the Canadian Coast Guard

OTTAWA, Dec. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is taking steps to ensure the safety of mariners and to support economic growth by increasing its capability to deliver critical services on Canada's waterways.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the Canadian Coast Guard have concluded two supply arrangements (SAs) for additional marine services such as icebreaking and aids to navigation. Starting this winter, the Coast Guard will be able to provide taskings under the SAs to available private sector partners on an as/when needed basis.

The following company has been retained for the SA in the St. Lawrence region: Le Groupe Océan inc. For the Great Lakes SA, the following companies have been retained: Le Groupe Océan inc. and McKeil Marine Limited.

These agreements are intended to facilitate commercial navigation, and also to ensure the protection of marine environments by making more resources available to the Coast Guard in the event of an environmental response.

In addition to these SAs, the Coast Guard continues to assess its options in the short and long term to increase its icebreaking capability. These measures offer users of Canadian marine waterways a reliable, efficient and flexible service until the arrival of new vessels built as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

For information on the St. Lawrence Supply Arrangement, please visit buyandsell.gc.ca
For information on the Great Lakes Supply Arrangement, please visit buyandsell.gc.ca

Quotes
"The women and men of the Canadian Coast Guard work hard every day across the country, to ensure the safety of mariners and the marine environment, and to keep our waterways safe for trade. This is a proactive solution to help the Coast Guard to maintain critical services where demand or challenging ice conditions warrant. We are ensuring that the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence, two important economic corridors that are crucial to the Canadian economy, have full icebreaking capacity this winter." 

The HonourableDominic LeBlanc, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"Our Government is committed to equipping the men and women of the Canadian Coast Guard with the ships they need to serve Canadians. ‎ Pending the arrival of new vessels being built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, we are taking necessary steps to respond to new and evolving requirements, and examining all options through fair, open and transparent processes."

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada

Quick Facts

• In recent years, the Coast Guard has faced increasing demand for icebreaking services due to changing weather conditions, longer ice seasons and a global rise in demand for icebreaking services.
• Marine traffic contributes more than $200 billion to Canada's economy.
• The services targeted by these arrangements include:
• ice clearance and ice navigation;
• removing ice from buoys;
• icebreaking and vessel assistance;
• stabilizing vessels in distress;
• towing; and
• assistance in the event of fire aboard a vessel.

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada