Ottawa, Ontario – The Government of Canada is taking steps to ensure the safety of mariners and to support economic growth by increasing its capability to deliver critical services on Canada's waterways.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the Canadian Coast Guard have concluded two supply arrangements (SAs) for additional marine services such as icebreaking and aids to navigation. Starting this winter, the Coast Guard will be able to provide taskings under the SAs to available private sector partners on an as/when needed basis.



The following company has been retained for the SA in the St. Lawrence region: Le Groupe Océan inc. For the Great Lakes SA, the following companies have been retained: Le Groupe Océan inc. and McKeil Marine Limited.



These agreements are intended to facilitate commercial navigation, and also to ensure the protection of marine environments by making more resources available to the Coast Guard in the event of an environmental response.



In addition to these SAs, the Coast Guard continues to assess its options in the short and long term to increase its icebreaking capability. These measures offer users of Canadian marine waterways a reliable, efficient and flexible service until the arrival of new vessels built as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.



For information on the St. Lawrence Supply Arrangement, please visit buyandsell.gc.ca

For information on the Great Lakes Supply Arrangement, please visit buyandsell.gc.ca