Thank you.
Minister, the Canadian Coast Guard has a need for an interim light icebreaker. We understand the minister received an unsolicited proposal for a Canadian-registered light icebreaker, the MV Arcticaborg, for charter or purchase. We also understand that this vessel is available in Vancouver and can serve the western Arctic this summer, where the Canadian Coast Guard has many operational gaps, including the inability to operate in shallow waters or readily respond to grounding or an oil spill. We also understand that Canada has until the end of this month to respond to its offer or lose this vessel to a company from Russia, also interested in the vessel.
Given our extreme shortage of icebreaking assets, will the minister please advise why he's not acting on this opportunity and why the bureaucracy refuses to even view this vessel?