Vanguard Magazine

30 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2025 www.vanguardcanada.com T H E LA S T W O R D stable life in Halifax, close to her family, while contributing to a national project she is proud of. These stories show how the strategy's impact goes beyond contracts and deliv- ery schedules. It can mean a young couple finally buying a house, a single parent af- fording after-school care, extra work for a local contractor, or a young person finding a job in the community where they grew up. It can mean more kids playing hockey because their parents can cover the fees, or more families staying together instead of moving away for work. It also fosters a culture of mentorship, as experienced tradespeople pass on their knowledge to apprentices, ensuring the skills and pride of craftsmanship are carried into the next generation. The strategy has built careers, anchored families, and created a generation of skilled tradespeople who will be here for the long haul. When the future HMCS Robert Hamp- ton Gray was named on August 9, the event marked another milestone in Halifax's re- newed role at the heart of Canada's naval capability. The ship reflects years of process improvements, and a workforce committed to higher standards. These are vessels sail- ors can bet their lives on, the definition of sovereign capability. It was not always like this. Before the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Canada's ability to build complex naval vessels at home was slipping away. Contracts were sporadic, skilled workers left for other in- dustries, and facilities aged. The National Shipbuilding Strategy changed that by delivering stability, long term predictable work that allows for planning, investment, and training without the constant fear of shutdowns. The progress is easy to see. The last Arc- tic and Offshore Patrol Ship for the Navy was just delivered. The keel for the eighth patrol ship, destined for the Coast Guard, will be laid later this year. Full rate produc- tion of the River-class destroyers has be- gun. These milestones show what happens when a country commits to a plan and sticks with it. Halifax's experience offers lessons for other sectors. Sustained commitment en- ables workforce growth and industrial modernization. True partnerships between government, industry, and labour keep projects on track. Predictable funding maintains momentum. Deep community ties make the benefits last far beyond the life of a contract. This is more than a procurement story. It is an industrial renaissance tied to a na- tional need, proof that Canada can take on complex, long-term projects and deliver world class results. It is also a reminder that public investment, done right, chang- es lives in ways that balance sheets cannot capture. For Raymond Downey, it is the pride of carrying on a tradition of service. For Kelsey Howard, it is the satisfaction of a career built at home. For thousands of others, it is knowing their work mat- ters, that the ships they build will protect Canada's coasts and project its presence abroad for decades. The National Shipbuilding Strategy promised to renew the fleet, create jobs, and rebuild Canadian shipbuilding. In Halifax, it has done all of that and more. The ships are real. The jobs are real. The impact on people's lives is real. And the momentum is still building. As the first River-class destroyers take shape and the last Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships are delivered, the future of Canadian naval shipbuilding is no longer in doubt. It is right there on the Halifax waterfront, steel, paint, and craftsmanship for all to see. Proof that when Canada commits to a plan, funds it properly, and stays the course, it can achieve exactly what it set out to do. Fair winds and following seas. Greg Macneil is a Partner at NorthStar Public Affairs. For almost a decade he has worked closely with the Halifax Shipyard on the National Shipbuilding Strategy. As the first River-class destroyers take shape and the last Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships are delivered, the future of Canadian naval shipbuilding is no longer in doubt. It is right there on the Halifax waterfront, steel, paint, and crasmanship for all to see. The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC). Photo: CAE Inc.

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