Mr. Speaker, our government is acquiring two joint support ships to permanently replace the Protector class auxiliary oiler replenishment vessel, to equip the navy, and to ensure that it can carry out its mission.
These two vessels will provide the requisite core replenishment, sealift, and ground operations support capabilities. Our government is committed to building two new vessels for the navy and maintaining Canada's naval capabilities in the long term. These contracts were awarded to the Vancouver shipyard and we are examining with—