GREATER VANCOUVER COALITION ON SHIPBUILDING

Box 86099
North Vancouver, B.C.

June 19, 1986.

The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney P.C.
Prime Minister of Canada

Parliament Buildings

Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A QA6.

Dear Prime Minister,

Re: Class 8 Icebreaker Program

We the .undersigned, members of the Greater Vancouver Coalition on
Shipbuilding, require that the Government of Canada act immediately to
award a contract for the design and construction of a Class 8 icebreaker
which was announced by your government in. September 1985, if the
shipbuilding industry on the West Coast is to be saved (see also attached

notes).
This action would:

‘maintain the world renowned expertise in icebreaker design and
construction which has been developed in Western Canada over the

past decade

‘achieve an equitable distribution of regional economic benefits
because of the need to source a significant proportion of material
and equipment in Ontario and Quebec.

“preserve some 900 jobs in the British Columbia shipbuilding
industry which has already lost over 2000 jobs since 1982 and is in
danger of losing its key technical skills

“fulfill your pledges to create new jobs in Western Canada and to
ensure the continuation of a viable Canadian shipbuilding industry

“be totally consistent with the recommendations of the Bruneau
Commission and the principle of open bidding

‘indirectly benefit all shipyards in British Columbia (Note that the
two other major shipyards in North Vancouver support. this

submission)

We understand that you and your Cabinet colleagues wil] shortly consider
a number of options with respect to the future of the Class 8 icebreaker.
program. This program has evolved over several years. of design
development, source qualification, and contract definition. We urge you
to prevent further delay because this would seriously impair the program
and also cripple the British Columbia shipbuilding industry.

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