By Moderator, 11 June 2025
It seems like a long time ago that the Harper government announced the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) – and indeed it was 15 years ago this month. The major elements of the plan were to recapitalize the navy and coast guard fleets, end the boom-and-bust cycle at Canadian shipbuilders to enhance an important strategic industry, and create employment.
The NSPS was kept by the Trudeau government, renamed the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), and it has continued ticking along.
The shipbuilding elements were divided into two. First, is the category of ‘small vessels’ under 1,000 tons of displacement, of which approximately 50 would be built. This process is ongoing. [For an update, see https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/acquisitions/defence-marine/national-shipbuilding-strategy/projects/small-vessels.html]
Second, is the category of ‘large vessels.’ According to government sources, here is an update on progress in the large vessel category:
| Project | Number | Status |
| Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (RCN) | 6 | Final ship to be delivered to RCN summer 2025 |
| Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (CCG) | 2 | To be delivered 2026 and 2027 |
| Ferries | 2 | No date of completion given |
| Joint Support Ships (RCN) | 2 | Estimated to be delivered 2026 and 2027 |
| Multi-purpose Vessels (CCG) | up to 16 | First vessel to be delivered 2030 |
| Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (CCG) | 3 | Completed, all 3 delivered |
| Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (CCG) | 1 | Delivery estimated 2025 |
| Polar icebreakers (CCG) | 2 | One to be delivered 2030, the other 2032 |
| Program icebreakers (CCG) | 6 | No date of completion given |
| River-class Destroyers (RCN) (Canadian Surface Combatants) | 15 | First ship to be delivered in early 2030s |
Progress has been made. The shipyards are busy, there are now skilled workers in the shipbuilding and marine industries, and some Canadian marine service companies have received a boost. But there’s still a long way to go before the navy in particular is fully recapitalized – frigates, coastal defence vessels and submarines are all still awaiting their replacements.
Image: A graphic posted by PSPC on X accompanying a post on the 15th anniversary of the NSS. Credit: Public Services & Procurement Canada
