If I remember correctly, what I read was that the Sir John Franklin had been put aside in Newfoundland and wasn't used for a few years. Then it was put up for crown disposal and I think the sale cost was about $2 million. That's why it cost so much to reactivate it and re-certify it to the standards of Transport Canada. It was $30 million in total, with the scientific equipment.
On March 1st, 2011. See this statement in context.