shipbuilding

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Côte-de-Gaspé MRC dreams of establishing a regional industrial cluster dedicated to shipbuilding within the next five years. This initiative aims to capitalize on federal investments that have supported the renewal of Canada’s military and civilian vessel fleets for several years. 

The MRC hopes that the region will capture a significant share of the economic benefits of the $2.5 billion that the Naval Strategy provides for the small vessel niche over the next 25 years. 

“We want to position ourselves in this sector. We have a lot of companies that work directly or indirectly in the naval sector. We have four shipyards in Gaspé. We want to show that we exist and we want to create synergy,” explains the mayor of Gaspé and prefect of the MRC de la Côte-de-Gaspé, Daniel Côté. 

According to him, there is much more than construction that is found in Gaspé and elsewhere in Gaspésie, mentioning as examples welding or companies that manufacture specific parts for a specific use. 

The prefect mentions the cities of Sorel-Tracy or Lévis which are already very active in the naval sector and have a rich history in this sense or Saguenay has shown a keen interest in the naval sector even if there is no construction per se. 

“We also want to position ourselves alongside these cities. Not in competition, in partnership. There is not one that is in the same niche. Gaspé will not compete with Davie (Shipbuilding, located in Lévis). Our infrastructures are too small. On the other hand, can we hold our own in boats under 1,000 tons? Are we able to do it with our local companies? The answer is yes, but if we don’t raise our hand, we’ll fall through the cracks in the floor,” says Mr. Côté. 

With the Forillon Shipyard, Gaspé and the region are already well positioned at the federal level. 

Since 2015, the Gaspé company has obtained two contracts to build ten search and rescue boats for the Coast Guard, for a total of $75 million. 

A year ago, the shipyard obtained another contract from Ottawa for $55.5 million to build the first hybrid diesel-electric mid-shore fisheries research vessel for the Coast Guard. 

Bringing together companies will allow the region to go further and act in a complementary manner. 

“We want this positioning to be strong and a flagship that will shed light on our industry to show that we exist and that we want to be part of this great naval adventure,” he says. 

While the exact share of federal opportunities for the Gaspé region is uncertain, Mr. Côte remains optimistic. “I have a lot of confidence. We are not new players. Gaspé has always been a shipbuilding platform. We built wooden ships in the 1800s. Now, we have been building metal, fibreglass and aluminum ships for years. We know that we are good. Now we need to make it known on a national scale,” says Mr. Côté. 

The federal and provincial governments already funded this type of industrial cluster project in the 1990s. 

Mr. Côté says that the levels of government will contribute. 

“We expect to have some (government support). First, we position ourselves. We will hire a resource specific to this strategy and we will seek the funding required to keep this industrial cluster alive,” says the elected official. 

The Forillon Shipyard is very open to the political project. 

“It’s really about having all the trades that can grow, develop industries around Gaspé that will serve us and help shipbuilding throughout Canada. It’s good for the region and the country,” says the shipyard’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jean-David Samuel. 

According to him, there is so much work to be done in the coming years. 

“No one is really ready to do everything that is coming. With this cluster, these companies will help us. Right now, we do a lot internally. We are somewhat independent. What we want is to have companies that will come and help us and work with us,” says the President and CEO. 

“Canada is currently having difficulty having small boats. It is a sector that is not sufficiently represented,” he says. 

The Forillon shipyard is limited to 800-tonne vessels but is prepared to expand 

“We want to reach 1,000 tonnes but especially to make several boats at the same time. There is new construction. We are limited to 1,000 tonnes with the federal government. We are not limited to the private sector or provincial governments. For repairs, there is enormous potential,” says Mr. Samuel.