$2.5 billion—that’s the final federal instalment toward the renewal of the Coast Guard’s small vessel fleet.

The announcement was made simultaneously yesterday—in St. John’s by Public Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek, and in Vancouver by Fisheries and Oceans Minister Joyce Murray.

It’s part of the government’s shipbuilding strategy first announced in the spring of 2019.

The initial order was for up to 18 new large ships and 20 search and rescue lifeboats, one of which is stationed in Burgeo.

The $2.5 billion announced Thursday will fund 61 additional small vessels to replace aging ones across the country.

Minister Jaczek gave assurances that smaller shipyards and suppliers will get a crack at those contracts.

“The work for these vessels will be open to all shipyards in Canada, with the exception of the three large vessel partners under the national shipbuilding strategy.”

So far, under Ottawa’s shipbuilding strategy, 16 small vessels have been delivered to DFO and the Coast Guard, including the 14 search and rescue lifeboats and two channel survey and sounding vessels.