Supplementary Information Tables

Status Report on Transformational and Major Crown Projects

Polar Icebreaker Project
Description Canada is procuring a state-of-the-art, multipurpose Polar Icebreaker capable of operations in the Arctic and adjacent waters year-round. The vessel will provide a dedicated presence in the North, strengthening Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, and economic and social development.
Project Outcomes Project outcomes contribute to Marine Operations and Response under Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Department Results Framework.
Industrial Benefits The Canadian industry will continue to benefit from this project as per Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy.
Sponsoring Department Canadian Coast Guard, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Contracting Authority Public Services and Procurement Canada
Participating Departments Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Department of National Defence
Prime Contractor VARD Marine Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (for design services)
Major Subcontractors To be determined
Project Phase Definition Phase
Major Milestones
  • June 2009 - Preliminary Project Approval
  • June 2010 - Government of Canada announced that the polar icebreaker would be built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy
  • November 2010 - Contract award for design
  • TBD - Contract award for construction engineering
  • TBD - Contract award for construction
  • TBD - Delivery of Polar Icebreaker
  • TBD - project closeout
Progress Report and Explanation of Variances

Federal Budgets 2008 and 2012 allocated funding for the procurement of Canada’s first polar icebreaker. Total funding of $1,297.8 million has been earmarked for the execution of this project. In June 2009, Treasury Board’s Preliminary Project Approval granted $36.3 million to begin the definition phase of the project.

The final of three detailed design stages was completed in 2014-15 by VARD Marine, including an appraisal by Lloyd’s Register, a Transport Canada-certified Classification Society.

In May 2019, a decision was made under the National Shipbuilding Strategy to substitute the construction of the Polar Icebreaker from Vancouver Shipyards in place of a long run of up to 16 Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPVs). The procurement strategy will be determined following marine industry engagement to explore alternative delivery options to ensure that the Polar Icebreaker is built in the most efficient manner.

In August 2019, Canada amended the Design Services contract with VARD Marine to refresh the design of the Polar Icebreaker in order to address changes in Classification design requirements, new regulations, and lessons learned.
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