New Canadian Shipbuilding Strategy

[Halifax Tar]

We are always shitting on Irving as a company (and maybe they deserve that) and the level of work their shipyard employees put out. But if you look at it from the workers point of view, maybe the reasons make things more understandable. East coast workers, like many other areas of Canada, don't want to have to move away for work if they don't have to. They also want to have good paying jobs for as long as possible, so they can raise their families, enjoy the good life, and watch their children follow in their footsteps. It is like this in any small Canadian town that only has one or two large employers. Because they know that when the ships are built, and there are no more orders on the books, the jobs go away, as do the family dreams. So really, what is the incentive to work faster?

You're absolutely correct for the why. Lots of people join the Nova Scotia Armed Forces.

And I will tell you the word sabotage has been used to describe some of the shenanigans they (Irving) like to play with our ships.

Now, I do put this on Irving Shipbuilding, because what are they doing to seek out contracts to build ships for customers other than the Federal Gov't? If there was no end date in sight for the work to be over, I think there would be a more effective, productive, and efficient workforce in place.

Personally I would openly and publicly look for off shore shipyards to build our ships. I think competition is exactly what we need. If Canadian yards cant meet the desired combination value and capability they shouldn't get the work.

 

[NavyShooter]

I use the word sabotage in the work I've seen with my own eyes from ISI.

 

[Stoker]

You're absolutely correct for the why. Lots of people join the Nova Scotia Armed Forces.

And I will tell you the word sabotage has been used to describe some of the shenanigans they (Irving) like to play with our ships.



Personally I would openly and publicly look for off shore shipyards to build our ships. I think competition is exactly what we need. If Canadian yards cant meet the desired combination value and capability they shouldn't get the work.

Sabotage from Irving is not just isolated to them. Other well known shipyards have done things in the past to our ships.

 

[DBNSG]

Sabotage from Irving is not just isolated to them. Other well known shipyards have done things in the past to our ships.

A now deceased Uncle participated in the repatriation of a St Laurent Class ( HMCS name escapes me) from Davie Shipbuilding in the early 70'S when the Union Brothers do what they do. Had to sneak the Ship into the St Lawrence well after business hours and sail it back to Halifax.

 

[NavyShooter]

I heard tell of that back in the day - as the story went, the crew was bussed up on Friday from Halifax, got in late Friday night when the strikers went home, spent the weekend loading the ship up with all of their parts/bits sitting on the jetty, then the tugs arrived from Halifax late Sunday night, and they pulled her off the wall and towed her away. Strikers showed up Monday morning and didn't notice that the ship was gone until lunch-time.

Or so the story went.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

I don't know why this story keeps popping up. There were no major refits away from Halifax on the St Laurent class in the 1970. All of the main out of port major refits were done between 1962 and 1965 as conversion to DDH, and yes, some of those occurred at Davie. In the early 70's, Davie was busy building the 280's. The only out of port refits of the St Laurent and derivatives in the first half of the 70's were the refits into IRE's of Restigouche, Kootenay, Gatineau and Terra Nova, all of which were done in Vancouver in the 1970 to 1972 time frame.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

I don't know why this story keeps popping up. There were no major refits away from Halifax on the St Laurent class in the 1970. All of the main out of port major refits were done between 1962 and 1965 as conversion to DDH, and yes, some of those occurred at Davie. In the early 70's, Davie was busy building the 280's. The only out of port refits of the St Laurent and derivatives in the first half of the 70's were the refits into IRE's of Restigouche, Kootenay, Gatineau and Terra Nova, all of which were done in Vancouver in the 1970 to 1972 time frame.

I think it is actually a 280 story from the 1980s.

 

[DBNSG]

I don't know why this story keeps popping up. There were no major refits away from Halifax on the St Laurent class in the 1970. All of the main out of port major refits were done between 1962 and 1965 as conversion to DDH, and yes, some of those occurred at Davie. In the early 70's, Davie was busy building the 280's. The only out of port refits of the St Laurent and derivatives in the first half of the 70's were the refits into IRE's of Restigouche, Kootenay, Gatineau and Terra Nova, all of which were done in Vancouver in the 1970 to 1972 time frame.

Did I mention there was always Beer in conjunction with my Uncles stories.

 

[NavyShooter]

The version I heard involved beer as well......

 

[Czech_pivo]

Topshee interviewed by Le Devoir - talks about the need to increase the representation of Francophones in the RCN and about the possibility of establishing a RCN base in Quebec - specifically mentions Rimouski or Baie-Comeau as two possible locations. Says a location in New Brunswick is possible as well.

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/11/news/canada-angus-topshee-navy-base

Canada's Navy commander calls for a base in French-speaking territory​

 

[dapaterson]

If they build a base in New Brunswick they'll have folks who don't speak English or French. #Miramichi

 

[Rainbow1910]

I'm a bit split on the idea of another base to be constructed in Quebec. On one hand attempting to break into the French population as a recruitment source is a good idea however, I am racking my brain thinking about the strategic redundancies of putting a proper base in Rimouski or Baie-Comeau versus utilizing that effort and funding to make sure Esquimalt and Halifax get the desperately needed infrastructure work they require.

 

[YZT580]

I'm a bit split on the idea of another base to be constructed in Quebec. On one hand attempting to break into the French population as a recruitment source is a good idea however, I am racking my brain thinking about the strategic redundancies of putting a proper base in Rimouski or Baie-Comeau versus utilizing that effort and funding to make sure Esquimalt and Halifax get the desperately needed infrastructure work they require.

If this was done, would you base all of one east coast type there and if so which one would be best? And, if that were done, we would end up with a french navy in Quebec whilst still requiring a bilingual navy elsewhere. Dangerous ground to walk.

 

[dapaterson]

I'm a bit split on the idea of another base to be constructed in Quebec. On one hand attempting to break into the French population as a recruitment source is a good idea however, I am racking my brain thinking about the strategic redundancies of putting a proper base in Rimouski or Baie-Comeau versus utilizing that effort and funding to make sure Esquimalt and Halifax get the desperately needed infrastructure work they require.

Francophone representation in the Reg F RCN s about half of that of the Canadian population.

Base Comeau would likely materially improve those numbers.

 

[GR66]

I'm a bit split on the idea of another base to be constructed in Quebec. On one hand attempting to break into the French population as a recruitment source is a good idea however, I am racking my brain thinking about the strategic redundancies of putting a proper base in Rimouski or Baie-Comeau versus utilizing that effort and funding to make sure Esquimalt and Halifax get the desperately needed infrastructure work they require.

Why not leverage the existing infrastructure at CCG Base Quebec? Valcartier is nearby for logistical support. Plenty of employment opportunities and QOL for family members.

 

[YZT580]

Francophone representation in the Reg F RCN s about half of that of the Canadian population.

Base Comeau would likely materially improve those numbers.

again, how would you make up the balance of the crew or will you be able to achieve an all-francophone crew from the increase in recruitment? Quebec has made it increasingly difficult for English only family members to attain employment or to send their kids to school

 

[dapaterson]

again, how would you make up the balance of the crew or will you be able to achieve an all-francophone crew from the increase in recruitment? Quebec has made it increasingly difficult for English only family members to attain employment or to send their kids to school

As opposed the the great supports for Francophone families in Halifax and Esquimalt?

 

[Colin Parkinson]

As opposed the the great supports for Francophone families in Halifax and Esquimalt?

Can't speak for Halifax, but it seems sufficient on the west coast.

École Victor-Brodeur, located in Esquimalt, is the primary K-12 Francophone school in the Greater Victoria area, serving as a hub for French-first language education. Another option is École Beausoleil, which provides Francophone education in the region. These are distinct from French Immersion programs, such as those at Macaulay Elementary or Esquimalt High.
Francophone Schools (CSF - Conseil scolaire francophone)
These schools are for French-first language speakers and provide a full francophone environment:

• École Victor-Brodeur (K-12): Located at 637 Head St, Esquimalt. It serves the Greater Victoria area and provides a comprehensive curriculum from kindergarten to grade 12.
• École Beausoleil (K-12): Located in the Victoria area, this school focuses on a francophone education and is expanding its facilities.

French Immersion (Greater Victoria School District - SD61)
These schools offer immersion programs for English-first language speakers:

• Macaulay Elementary (K-5): Located in Esquimalt.
• Esquimalt High School (9-12): Located in Esquimalt.
• Other options in the area include Oak Bay Secondary, Reynolds Secondary, and Victoria High School.

New Development
A new $73-million facility for a francophone school is planned to start construction around 2027 to accommodate growth in the francophone community, with a new school site also purchased in the Royal Bay/Colwood area.

 

[dapaterson]

Can't speak for Halifax, but it seems sufficient on the west coast.

École Victor-Brodeur, located in Esquimalt, is the primary K-12 Francophone school in the Greater Victoria area, serving as a hub for French-first language education. Another option is École Beausoleil, which provides Francophone education in the region. These are distinct from French Immersion programs, such as those at Macaulay Elementary or Esquimalt High.
Francophone Schools (CSF - Conseil scolaire francophone)
These schools are for French-first language speakers and provide a full francophone environment:

• École Victor-Brodeur (K-12): Located at 637 Head St, Esquimalt. It serves the Greater Victoria area and provides a comprehensive curriculum from kindergarten to grade 12.
• École Beausoleil (K-12): Located in the Victoria area, this school focuses on a francophone education and is expanding its facilities.

French Immersion (Greater Victoria School District - SD61)
These schools offer immersion programs for English-first language speakers:

• Macaulay Elementary (K-5): Located in Esquimalt.
• Esquimalt High School (9-12): Located in Esquimalt.
• Other options in the area include Oak Bay Secondary, Reynolds Secondary, and Victoria High School.

New Development
A new $73-million facility for a francophone school is planned to start construction around 2027 to accommodate growth in the francophone community, with a new school site also purchased in the Royal Bay/Colwood area.

Can you live in French? Grocery stores? Drug stores? Health care?

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Can you live in French? Grocery stores? Drug stores? Health care?

BC is not a bilingual Province and never has been. You can however be served in Mandarin, Hindi, Vietnamese and Tegula.