Mr. Speaker, in the coming budget there is $175 million for new vessels and repairs. That number includes 60 new small craft, 30 new barges, 5 lifeboats, 2 inshore science vessels and 35 refits.
In the budget the government says, “work will be conducted in Canada”, and the parliamentary secretary confirmed that statement this morning.
How can that be guaranteed if we sign an agreement such as this one? On top of that, there are 10 times more in expenditures. That is only $175 million, but there are billions in northern patrol boats. There were going to be ice-strengthened supply ships, but they seem to have been cancelled for now. The Prime Minister promised three icebreakers, two of which have now been cancelled.
We are talking about billions of dollars. I am wondering how that will be conducted in Canada, which they have guaranteed will be the case, if we sign such an agreement.