A Quebec shipyard in line to be the federal government’s icebreaker-builder says it intends to establish a centre of excellence that will envision the innovation needed to restore Canada as a world-leader in Arctic operations.
Describing itself as Canada’s polar partner, the Chantier Davie Shipyard in Quebec plans to announce the creation of a national centre on Tuesday focusing on icebreaking in the country’s Arctic.
It is, according to a senior executive at the Levis, Que., company, more than just an engineering centre and will encompass the climatic, economic and social factors that will drive the region for the next 30 years and beyond.
“It is a bigger discussion,” said Spencer Fraser, the director of business development for the Inosea Group of Companies, which owns the shipyard. “It’s not just around icebreaking and shipbuilding in Canada.”
The Arctic icebreaking centre is intended to bring together community and business leaders as well as scientists and engineers — from both northern and southern Canada — in a conference later this year.
Shaping the Arctic economy of the 21st century
They’ll be asked to envision and debate what kind of ships and infrastructure are needed to drive future economic and social development in Canada’s Arctic, which is being transformed by climate change and shifting geopolitics.
“We’re getting together to ask: In 2050, the North is going to