Government of Canada Awards Contract for New Medium-Lift Coast Guard Helicopters

MIRABEL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - April 10, 2015) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced a contract of up to $156 million awarded to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada for the procurement and delivery of seven medium-lift helicopters for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG).

This contract will encourage economic growth, create jobs, and further business opportunities in the Canadian aerospace industry while ensuring that CCG men and women can continue to perform their important duties.

During his tour of the facilities, Minister Lebel also had the opportunity to see the progress being made on the construction of 15 light-lift helicopters, which Bell Helicopter began building in spring 2014. The first light-lift helicopter is on track for delivery with all remaining helicopters expected to be progressively delivered by March 2016.

The procurement of medium-lift and light-lift helicopters is part of the Coast Guard's Fleet Renewal Plan, developed to replace many of its vessels and helicopters over the next 30 years.

Quick Facts

• Economic Action Plan 2012 provided $5.2 billion in new funding for the Canadian Coast Guard's Fleet Renewal Plan, which includes the procurement of new vessels and helicopters.
  
  
• 65 per cent of Coast Guard helicopters' flying hours are devoted to ensuring the safety of marine traffic, 15 per cent to icebreaking reconnaissance operations, and 20 per cent to other Coast Guard and Government of Canada programs, such as maintenance and construction of aids to navigation and telecommunications equipment, personnel and cargo transfer between ship and shore, and science and fisheries enforcement.
  
  
• The contract for the procurement of the medium-lift helicopters falls under the Value Proposition component of the Government's Defence Procurement Strategy, which promises to deliver the right equipment to the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian Armed Forces in a timely manner and at a better value for taxpayers. It also requires companies to outline their approach for obtaining goods and services and from Canadian suppliers to create additional skilled jobs right here in Canada.
  
  
• The acquisition of these helicopters and the associated goods and services will support more than 374 direct and indirect jobs over the next five years.
  
  

Quotes

"This contract will support the growing aerospace industry in Quebec. It will attract a skilled and youthful workforce to the area and drive economic prosperity. The aerospace industry is important to Quebec's economy. I am proud to see that once again, Quebec's economy and workers are benefiting from our Government's investments in the renewal of our Canadian Coast Guard fleet."

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"The acquisition of these helicopters further demonstrates our Government's support for the Canadian Coast Guard. This will help ensure that the dedicated men and women of the Coast Guard continue to carry out their mandate and maintain vital services at sea or from any one of its locations serving Canadians across the country."

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

"The courage, commitment and heroic efforts of the Canadian Coast Guard are truly inspiring. It is an honor and a privilege to provide these helicopters to the Canadian Coast Guard, and we look forward to seeing them flying in Canada's skies."

Raymond Leduc, president, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada

Related Products

- News Release: Canadian Coast Guard Helicopter Fleet Renewal: Release of the Request for Proposals to Procure Medium-Lift Helicopters

- News Release: Government of Canada Awards Contract for New Helicopters

- News Release: Harper Government Launches Process to Modernize Coast Guard Helicopter Fleet

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

This news release is available online at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca.

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