Prime Minister Stephen Harper: Vice-Admiral Robertson

Rear-Admiral Girouard Dept: OTTAWA - A new report by two independent think-tanks recommends the Harper government abandon its pet project to construct Arctic patrol ships for the navy, according to Winnipeg Free Press. The Conservatives promised the arctic warships during the 2006 election campaign, saying once in government they would build three heavily armed icebreakers to enforce Canadian sovereignty in the North and Prime Minister Stephen Harper is escorted by Vice-Admiral Robertson and Rear-Admiral Girouard prior to making an announcement of the construction of up to eight Polar Class 5 Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships at CFB Esquimalt in Victoria, B.C., on July 9, 2007. A new report by two independent think-tanks recommends the Harper government abandon its pet project to construct Arctic patrol ships for the navy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Deddeda Stemler The Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Rideau Institute say the $4.3-billion plan has been watered down to the point where it no longer makes much sense, and the country would be better served building high-speed navy cutters and civilian icebreakers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.