Post by ferryfast admin on Jun 13, 2012 13:51:03 GMT -5
Ambrose urges ‘collaboration, co-operation, trust’ in shipbuilding
Canada.Com
blogs.canada.com/2012/06/12/ambrose-urges-collaboration-co-operation-trust-in-shipbuilding/
OTTAWA — The minister responsible for overseeing all federal government purchases acknowledged on Tuesday the difficult hurdles the massive $35-billion national shipbuilding plan will need to clear in order to become a reality, but encouraged all sides to work together.
“I have every confidence that both shipyards, Irving and Seaspan, will work very closely over the many years we have a relationship with them to make sure our ships for the coast guard and navy are built on time,” Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose said in the House of Commons.
“Of course, this does entail a lot of co-operation, collaboration and trust between the shipyards and the navy and coast guard. I fully expect that will happen.”
Opposition members have seized on a Postmedia News report published Monday that warned the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, as it is called, is heading towards difficult waters.
“It is worrisome that there is not one signed shipbuilding contract,” said Liberal MP Geoff Regan of Halifax. “This would not be the first time the Conservatives failed to deliver on their promise: Arctic icebreakers, supply ships, armoured trucks are just a few examples.
“The government is always big on photo ops, but short on delivery. How can shipyard workers have any confidence in the government’s job promises?”
The Canadian Press, meanwhile, quoted the country’s top soldier, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk, as saying in Halifax on Tuesday that “cutting steel” for naval vessels is his highest priority.
“The National Shipbuilding Strategy is a huge leap in progress,” Natynczyk was quoted as telling the Royal Canadian Legion convention in Halifax.
“But we need to start cutting steel.”
Canada.Com
blogs.canada.com/2012/06/12/ambrose-urges-collaboration-co-operation-trust-in-shipbuilding/
OTTAWA — The minister responsible for overseeing all federal government purchases acknowledged on Tuesday the difficult hurdles the massive $35-billion national shipbuilding plan will need to clear in order to become a reality, but encouraged all sides to work together.
“I have every confidence that both shipyards, Irving and Seaspan, will work very closely over the many years we have a relationship with them to make sure our ships for the coast guard and navy are built on time,” Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose said in the House of Commons.
“Of course, this does entail a lot of co-operation, collaboration and trust between the shipyards and the navy and coast guard. I fully expect that will happen.”
Opposition members have seized on a Postmedia News report published Monday that warned the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, as it is called, is heading towards difficult waters.
“It is worrisome that there is not one signed shipbuilding contract,” said Liberal MP Geoff Regan of Halifax. “This would not be the first time the Conservatives failed to deliver on their promise: Arctic icebreakers, supply ships, armoured trucks are just a few examples.
“The government is always big on photo ops, but short on delivery. How can shipyard workers have any confidence in the government’s job promises?”
The Canadian Press, meanwhile, quoted the country’s top soldier, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk, as saying in Halifax on Tuesday that “cutting steel” for naval vessels is his highest priority.
“The National Shipbuilding Strategy is a huge leap in progress,” Natynczyk was quoted as telling the Royal Canadian Legion convention in Halifax.
“But we need to start cutting steel.”