NEWS RELEASE
HRM Celebrates $25-billion Halifax Shipyard Award
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 – Mayor Peter Kelly and Halifax Regional Council expressed overwhelming enthusiasm for Irving Shipbuilding today on the news they have been awarded a contract to build new ships for Canada’s Navy.
The federal government today made the official announcement that the Halifax Shipyard has been awarded a $25-billion combat work package which means the building of more than 20 combatant surface vessels and the creation of approximately 4,000 jobs in Nova Scotia.
Mayor Peter Kelly welcomed the news and extended the congratulations of Council and HRM residents to Irving Shipbuilding.
“This contract is a tribute of the outstanding skills and dedication of the Halifax Shipyard workforce,” said Mayor Kelly. “It also reinforces this region’s proud reputation for building fine vessels, a reputation that goes back many generations.”
At its peak, the $25-billion contract is expected to translate into as many as 11,500 jobs, primarily in Nova Scotia’smanufacturing, commercial and service sectors. The contract is also expected to boost Nova Scotia’s real Gross Domestic Product by almost $600 million.
“This is indeed a proud moment for our municipality, for our province and for everyone who worked so hard to prove that ships do start here, home to Canada’s east coast Navy,” said Mayor Kelly. “We are eager to put our skills to work for ourselves and for our country.”
This contract represents the biggest economic opportunity, not just for the Halifax Regional Municipality but for Nova Scotia and beyond, since the Navy was established here, more than a century ago. Not only will it mean prosperity through thousands of direct and indirect jobs, it translates into long-term security due to the creation of a Centre of Shipbuilding Excellence, a resource that will benefit our region for decades to come.
For more information visit www.shipsstarthere.ca (http://www.shipsstarthere.ca/ )
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Contact:
Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
222-9999 (cell)
