Speech

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER ANNOUNCES NEW UPGRADES TO THE NAVY'S HALIFAX-CLASS FRIGATES

July 5, 2007
Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Thank you very much, Minister MacKay.

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good morning, officers and members of the Armed Forces.

Thanks everyone for being here today.

I'm glad to see that we are joined by the crew of the HMCS Halifax today. What a great looking crew. Canadian Forces serving members are simply the finest soldiers, sailors and airmen in the world. You do an important job and of course you do a dangerous job, a job that is not without personal risk and sacrifice.

Our government and our nation knows, particularly on a day like today, the importance and the value of that sacrifice, and for that we are all grateful, and as Minister MacKay said, we obviously express our condolences to the families of the six soldiers who were killed yesterday.

Standing here on the deck of the HMCS Halifax, we can see the past, the present and the future of the Canadian Navy. Originally commissioned during the Cold War, some questioned the need for these frigates after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but times changed, the world changed and through it all, there remained a need for a strong, modern and adaptable navy.

During the last decade and a half, these frigates have been to the four corners of the world, performing every conceivable mission. And like the workhorses they are, they rarely get the praise they deserve. So let's take a minute to review their record.

First, our ships are on the front line in the fight against international terrorism. In fact, Canadian ships have been engaged in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea for decades as part of Canada's fulfillment of our international security agreements.

Since 2001, 15 frigates have been deployed to the Gulf, including the HMCS Toronto behind me, which has been there three times. During these missions, Canadian ships have intercepted countless shipments of illegal goods, including weapons and munitions, and captured Al Qaeda fighters attempting to escape from land forces.

As well, our frigates worked to aid civilians in distress. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, for example, Canada sent two ships to the US Gulf Coast to help in the recovery effort, and the Halifax assisted in the search and recovery effort following the Swiss Air flight 111 disaster.

Beyond all that, however, is the fleet's most important job, maintaining the safety and security of sovereign Canadian waters. Our frigates routinely patrol Canada's three coastlines. They protect our borders from terrorists, polluters, illegal fishers, drug smugglers and human trafficking. And they contribute to our sovereignty over the Arctic.

And that's why today's announcement is so important.

Since taking office, Canada's New Government has been committed to rebuilding the Canadian Forces, reclaiming our traditional leadership role in world affairs, and protecting our Arctic territories.

Today we are announcing our intention to proceed with a refit of the entire Halifax class fleet. New updated equipment will make these ships stronger, safer and better able to do all that we ask them to do. They are the backbone of our Canadian Navy, so by upgrading them, we are making the entire navy stronger.

I'm also pleased to announce that all of the work done on the ships will be done right here in Canada by Canadian companies. This is great news for Canadian shipyards, their employees and their suppliers. And it's great news for Canada. Our government is determined to restore our status and influence on the world stage. That means strengthening our ability to stand up for our interests and having the tools we need to assert and defend those interests.

One of the most important upgrades to our frigates will be enhanced command and control centres. This will give Canadian vessels the ability to lead operations, not just participate in them. And each frigate will be refitted to accommodate our new Cyclone maritime helicopters ordered last year, allowing these ships even greater versatility.

The result is that now more than ever our Halifax class frigates will be giant floating command posts, standing up for Canada at home and abroad.

These are exciting times for the Canadian Navy, and Canada's new government is proud to support the Navy and all the Canadian Forces as we work together to build a stronger, safer, better Canada.

Thank you, and I look forward to your questions a bit later.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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