Building ships with sa国际传媒 workers and high environmental standards matters.
That’s why the shipbuilding industry, local trade unions and hundreds of marine suppliers in sa国际传媒 and across sa国际传媒 have joined forces to help ensure the province isn’t shut out of what will be the largest shipbuilding procurement in sa国际传媒’s history.
believes taxpayer money should stay in sa国际传媒, but that may not happen if a foreign shipyard is chosen to build the new ferries.
The new major vessels program
BC Ferries’ New Major Vessels program presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build ferries in sa国际传媒 and support high-value jobs and economic growth.
The program includes seven new ferries expected to be in operation by 2029 that will replace six existing major vessels nearing their end-of-life.
Time is running out to make sure sa国际传媒 is included in this capital program. BC Ferries is developing the Request for Proposals (RFP) and plans to release it in June – only a couple months from now. Currently, this RFP may have no significant requirements for Canadian involvement and could only favour the lowest price bidder, which means a foreign shipyard will certainly win the competition.
The provincial government and BC Ferries need to act immediately, or else these vessels might be built overseas with no provincial or Canadian content.
All of the economic benefits, tax revenue, innovation, green technology, supply chain and jobs could go to a foreign country.
Local ships and local jobs – it’s a new era in sa国际传媒 shipbuilding
Some of the largest and most complex ships ever built in sa国际传媒 are currently under construction here in sa国际传媒
In 2011, Seaspan was awarded the largest federal procurement in British Columbia’s history. As a strategic partner under sa国际传媒’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, Seaspan was chosen to build 20-plus large, complex vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard.
When put into context, consider the sheer numbers associated with sa国际传媒’s shipbuilding industry:
* Between 2012 and 2035, Seaspan Shipyards will contribute more than $2.5 billion in municipal and provincial government taxes
* 5,700 jobs created or sustained in sa国际传媒 annually through Seaspan’s activities
* $4.3 billion in contributions to sa国际传媒’s gross domestic product
* $3.1 billion in labour income
A recent, independent economic analysis conducted by noted sa国际传媒 economist Teresa Watts demonstrates the additional economic value of building ferries locally: up to 9,800 jobs and $1.7 billion in associated wages.
Cheaper is not always better
A low-cost bid project, with no incentive, points or value for the use of sa国际传媒 workers and suppliers, ensures that much or all of the work will be conducted in low-wage nations, with low environmental, safety and employment standards.
sa国际传媒’s industry has proven expertise in large vessel shipbuilding and is an economic engine for the entire country.
The time to act is now, before this ship sails – learn more and take action to support local shipbuilding by visiting .
