Absolutely. I can understand your interest, of course. Anyone in the Vancouver area would be similarly very proud of what we're able to achieve with our national shipbuilding strategy.
We are delivering for Canadians by equipping the navy and the Coast Guard with the ships they require in order to serve and protect Canadians. We are also creating good, middle-class jobs across the country, because there is similar work going on in Halifax as well. In fact, the first three Arctic and offshore patrol ships have been delivered. The third was delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy in September. The next three are under construction, with steel cutting for AOPS 6 having occurred in August.
As of this summer, Canada has awarded approximately $21.7 billion in national shipbuilding strategy contracts. I can see Madame Vignola cringing at that number, which is obviously very large, but that is the amount in contracts to businesses throughout the country.
Our national shipbuilding strategy is a long-term investment, and it will continue to create good jobs and support economic growth in coastal communities across Canada.