Evidence of meeting #34 for National Defence in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ships.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Sven Spengemann Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
What would the Government of Canada need to do, to your mind, to make us more competitive abroad, to open up channels of export?
4:50 p.m.
Chairman, Chantier Davie Canada Inc.
I think you need to look at the whole maritime industry. Look at countries like Norway that actually develop what they call a “maritime cluster”, which is not just the shipyards but everything throughout the value chain, including seafarers. Just developing that entire marine value chain, I'd say, is the most important part. It's about developing that whole sustainable marine industry.
4:50 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Federal Fleet Services Inc.
I would just add that when we talk about shipbuilding in Canada, we sometimes talk about the cutting of steel. We have to remember that a lot of the companies that were created during the frigate days are still surviving and thriving. I use L3 MAPPS of Montreal or OSI on the west coast as examples. These are companies that are selling into 40 nations.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I appreciate hearing about the success with the supply ship that's taking place, but I would suggest that we have business to transact in camera. Also, we have to keep in mind that we give the same amount of time to various witnesses who appear before the committee, so I would suggest we move to our in camera session at this time.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Stephen Fuhr
Okay. Very good.
Thank you for coming, gentlemen. It looks like our interim AOR solution is in very good hands. Actually, what I learned today, which I think is important, especially for workers in your area, is that this particular project gained some consumer confidence and there are other countries looking at your capability. Thanks for sharing with us today.
[Proceedings continue in camera]