IQALUIT, NT, Aug. 19,
2024 /CNW/ - The Canadian Arctic covers 40 per cent
of Canada's territory and plays a
fundamental role in our national identity. Expansions in commercial
shipping, the impacts of climate change, and increased maritime
activity in the Arctic have underscored the importance of safe
navigation in the region.
Today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of
Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, was in Iqaluit, Nunavut to unveil the names of the
Canadian Coast Guard's two future Polar Icebreakers: the CCGS
Arpatuuq and CCGS Imnaryuaq. The vessels' names were
chosen in collaboration with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami for their
cultural significance to Inuit, marking another step forward in the
Government of Canada's commitment
to build a stronger relationship with Indigenous Peoples based on
rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.
Once built, the Polar Icebreakers will be the largest vessels in
the Canadian Coast Guard's fleet of the future. The CCGS
Arpatuuq and CCGS Imnaryuaq will enable the Canadian
Coast Guard to operate in the Canadian Arctic year-round to support
Indigenous Peoples and Northern communities, Arctic sovereignty,
high Arctic science, and emergency response.
This announcement follows the recent name unveiling and launch
of the Canadian Coast Guard's new Offshore Oceanographic Science
Vessel, the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, at Vancouver
Shipyards in British Columbia. The
CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk pays tribute to an esteemed
Inuk Elder, and the name was also
chosen in collaboration with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
As part of today's announcement, Minister Lebouthillier also
marked the launch of the Canadian Coast Guard's Arctic Strategy.
The Strategy outlines the Canadian Coast Guard's vision for the
Arctic region over the next decade and was developed in
collaboration with Inuit, First Nations, and Métis peoples. As
noted in the Strategy, the Canadian Coast Guard is enhancing its
year-round presence in the Arctic with innovative programs, a
modernized fleet, an equitable and representative workforce, and
policies that are made in the North, by the North, and for the
North.
Finally, Minister Lebouthillier announced that year two of the
Canadian Hydrographic Service's dedicated mission to conduct
hydrographic surveys in the Arctic will launch from Iqaluit on August 26,
2024. These surveys are critical to advance knowledge of the
Arctic seabed, and the data collected plays a significant role in
enhancing navigational safety in a challenging marine
environment.
Funded through the Oceans Protection Plan, the initiative
supports job training and provides employment opportunities for
post-secondary Indigenous students to work aboard the vessel as
cadets while supporting the mission, which will continue to improve
marine safety in the challenging environment of the Arctic
Ocean.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is
committed to working with the North, for the North. Our ongoing
collaboration with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Indigenous Peoples
in Canada remains a priority and
we are proud to foster these positive partnerships. The milestones
announced today will help increase services to Northern communities
while improving navigational safety in the Arctic."
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries,
Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"The Polar Icebreakers are a key component of the National
Shipbuilding Strategy, which supports the Canadian Coast Guard in
its operations while revitalizing our domestic shipbuilding
industry and creating good jobs. Given that these vessels will
enable the CCG to ensure a year-round presence in the Canadian
Arctic in support of Indigenous Peoples, it is only fitting that
their names reflect the rich Inuit culture."
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services
and Procurement
"We are pleased that the Canadian Coast Guard has chosen to name
its new Polar Icebreakers after Inuktut placenames within Inuit
Nunangat. Inuktut is a vibrant language and Inuit Nunangat is our
vast homeland and so it's fitting that these new vessels, which are
designed to support our communities and protect Arctic sovereignty
year-round, will reflect the language and places that are
significant to Inuit. We welcome this renewed partnership and look
forward to working with the Canadian Coast Guard to ensure its new
Arctic Strategy includes Inuit priorities and
self-determination."
Natan Obed, President, Inuit
Tapiriit Kanatami
"Today's name unveiling for the Polar Icebreakers is another
exciting step forward in the renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard's
fleet, and demonstrates our dedication to growing our partnerships
with Indigenous communities across Canada. These icebreakers will better equip
our personnel with the state-of-the-art technology they need to
expand our services and ensure year-round presence in the Canadian
Arctic. I also look forward to seeing the Arctic Strategy in action
to guide our path forward in the region."
Mario Pelletier, Commissioner,
Canadian Coast Guard
Quick Facts
- The CCGS Arpatuuq references Akpatok Island, an
uninhabited island in Nunavik, on the northern coast of
Quebec. The island is an important
geographical landmark in Ungava Bay that has been used by Inuit of
Nunavik for centuries. It is named for the Akpa, a thick-billed
murre that is one of the many seabird species in the region.
- The CCGS Imnaryuaq's namesake is a cape located at the
southern end of Banks Island that extends into the Amundsen Gulf.
Also referred to as Nelson Head and
meaning "big cliff," Imnaryuaq extends over 300 metres almost
vertically from the water's edge and is a culturally significant
area for Inuvialuit.
- The construction of the two Polar Icebreakers is projected to
support approximately 300 jobs per vessel at the shipyards, and
2,500 jobs across the marine supply chain. Vancouver Shipyards in
British Columbia will build one
Polar Icebreaker, and Chantier Davie in Lévis, Quebec, will build the other Polar
Icebreaker.
- The National Shipbuilding Strategy is helping restore
Canada's shipyards, rebuild the
marine industry, and create sustainable jobs while helping to
protect Canada's sovereignty. As
of the end of 2023, over $26.5
billion in National Shipbuilding Strategy-related contracts
have been awarded to businesses throughout the country.
- The Canadian Hydrographic Service awarded a $6.5 million contract to Nunavut's Sedna ROV Services to conduct
dedicated hydrographic survey missions in Canada's Arctic during the 2023 and 2024 field
seasons. During the first year of the project, over 9,000 linear
kilometres of the Arctic Ocean were surveyed.
- As part of the Oceans Protection Plan, the two-year Arctic
surveying project will improve charting in the proposed northern
low impact shipping corridors by using modern sonar technology to
collect hydrographic data.
Related products
- News Release (Inuktitut): Working with the North, for the
North
- News Release: Government of Canada announces Polar Icebreakers to enhance
Canada's Arctic presence and
provide critical services to Canadians
- News Release: Canadian Coast Guard celebrates the launch of the
new Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel
- News Release: Government of Canada partners with Inuit firm to enhance
marine safety in the Arctic
Associated links
- Canadian Coast Guard Arctic Strategy
- Advancing hydrography in the Arctic and coastal
communities
- The National Shipbuilding Strategy
- Oceans Protection Plan
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YouTube and LinkedIn.
SOURCE Canadian Coast Guard