Irving Shipbuilding: Defence Minister Peter MacKay

Federal Shipbuilding Dept: HALIFAX - A $9.3-million deal with Irving Shipbuilding is the "starting gun" on the $35-billion federal shipbuilding program, the defence minister said Tuesday despite concerns from one expert who fears the project doesn't properly address the need to replace Canada's aging navy fleet, according to Winnipeg Free Press. The Arctic offshore vessels are the first expected to be built under the national shipbuilding procurement project and defence Minister Peter MacKay heads from a news conference at the Halifax Shipyard in Halifax on Tuesday, July 10, 2012. The federal government has signed a $9.3-million deal with Irving Shipbuilding to get started on the navy shipbuilding contract in Halifax. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan Peter MacKay signed a contract with the shipbuilding company to review the design and specifications of the Arctic offshore patrol ships, as well as develop a plan on how they would be built. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.