Doug Ford Demands Ontario’s Share in National Shipbuilding Contracts

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is urging the federal government to ensure that Ontario workers receive their “fair slice of the pie” in contracts related to the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Speaking in Hamilton, Ford emphasized the need for increased participation from Ontario in these contracts, which he claims have largely benefited other provinces.

Ford made these comments while announcing a funding initiative of $70 million aimed at training programs and job centers to support workers affected by U.S. tariffs. “We’re getting crumbs, and we have to start getting the contracts to build the ship(s),” he stated, expressing frustration over the current distribution of shipbuilding contracts.

Launched in 2010, the NSS was designed to bolster Canada’s marine industry by supporting domestic vessel construction. According to the federal government, contracts awarded under this strategy from 2012 to 2024 have contributed nearly $30 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product and have created or maintained approximately 20,400 jobs annually.

While Ford acknowledged the success of provinces like Nova Scotia and Quebec in securing contracts, he insisted that Ontario possesses the necessary expertise and capacity to contribute significantly. “Ontario workers have the know-how and the capacity to build the ships our Navy needs,” he asserted. He is calling on the federal government to include Ontario in future projects under the NSS.

Despite Ontario not being completely excluded from shipbuilding contracts, the province has not been awarded large-scale projects. Ontario Shipyards, previously known as Heddle Shipyards, received a $36 million contract in July 2022 for vessel life extension work. Additionally, Canadian Maritime Engineering Ltd. in Thorold, Ontario, secured a $1.8 million contract for maintenance work on small buoy tenders in 2023. However, these instances do not reflect the broader shipbuilding opportunities available to other provinces.

In response to ongoing challenges faced by Ontario’s steel industry, particularly due to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, Ford has been advocating for a policy that prioritizes Canadian-made materials in major infrastructure projects. “Let’s wake up and start supporting Canadian companies,” he urged, highlighting the importance of using local steel for various projects across the country.

Ford’s call for action comes as BC Ferries has faced criticism for purchasing vessels from China, with support from the federal infrastructure bank. The premier emphasized that Ontario has “great workers” ready to step into the shipbuilding sector but stressed the necessity of securing contracts for them. “I’ll be all over the federal government until we get a fair slice of the pie,” he concluded, underscoring his commitment to advocating for Ontario’s shipbuilding industry.