There are opportunities for Northern B.C. companies to secure sub-contracts as part of Seaspan Marine Corp.'s bid to secure a share of a $35-billion federal ship building contract, B.C. Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell said Friday.
The company is trying to secure one of two contracts: a $20-billion contract to build frigates and Arctic offshore patrol vessels; and a $15-billion contract to build icebreakers, coast guard vessels and supply ships.
The B.C. Liberal government is supporting Seaspan's bid and is expected to offer up some kind of government support, although Bell was not releasing any details. Seaspan has asked the B.C. government for tax credits.
Bell noted that if Seaspan was to win one of the contracts, it would provide more than 8,000 direct and indirect jobs in the province, mostly in Vancouver and Victoria.
But he added that he expected work, likely in sub-contracts, to be spread around the province. He noted, for example, that Prince George has a number of fabricating shops that produce large steel products.
"When you are talking about $500 million, $600 million, $700 million per year in fabrication and electrical contract, that work I'm sure will be spread around," he said.
A decision from the federal government is scheduled this summer.
The B.C. Liberal government has also been making its case to the federal Conservative government.
Finance Minister Kevin Falcon has already met with federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty over Seaspan's bid. Bell is also travelling to Ottawa to meet with a number of federal ministers, including Defence Minister Peter MacKay and International Trade Minister Ed Fast, who is from British Columbia.
New Brunswick's Irving Shipbuilding, Davie Yards of Quebec and Ontario's Seaway Marine and Industrial are also in the running.
