Some rumours:
CDC no longer has a length restriction of ~105m. I already assumed this was arbitrary, but now that DND has bought waterfront land beside Shearwater this "space" problem starts to go away. Particularly if they also have plans/thoughts to create a naval station in Quebec.
CDC numbers being discussed are 20. I suspect that's a full build and then replace similar to how the Japanese do their submarines. A drumbeat of one ship per year for 20 years, when you get to year 21 retire the first ship (or sell to a country that doesn't mind older ships, like Chile).
Ship needs to have the self defence capability of a CPF.
Which makes sense. My thoughts are that this doesn't mean it needs the redundancy of a frigate. One air search radar, one fire control radar, 40mm or 57mm, 8 Tactical length VLS, MASS or equivalent, though that could be a mission fit along with RAMSES II or equivalent. Hull mounted sonar, and a Torp magazine to carry ammo needed for a drone to drop torps on something. Small flight deck for drones only and for medevac haul up system.
Of course this might end up being the Canadian "Tier 2 combatant" that the UK (Type 31) and Australia (Mogami) are doing.