The Government of Canada is taking steps to increase its capability to deliver critical services on Canada’s waterways.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the Canadian Coast Guard have concluded two supply arrangements (SAs) for additional marine services such as icebreaking and aids to navigation. Starting this winter, the Coast Guard will be able to provide taskings under the SAs to available private sector partners on an as/when needed basis.

Marine traffic contributes more than $200 billion to Canada’s economy. In recent years, the Canadian Coast Guard has faced increasing demand for icebreaking services due to changing weather conditions, longer ice seasons and a global rise in demand for icebreaking services.

The services targeted by these arrangements include ice clearance and ice navigation; removing ice from buoys; icebreaking and vessel assistance; stabilizing vessels in distress; towing; and assistance in the event of fire aboard a vessel.

Learn more at Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada.

Image: One of two Canadian Coast Guard heavy ice breakers, CCGS Terry Fox.