Why is a new Polar Icebreaker being constructed?

The Canadian Coast Guard’s largest and most capable icebreaker, CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, is scheduled for decommissioning in 2017.  Accordingly, Budget 2008 provided funds for the acquisition of a new Canadian-built multi-purpose Polar Icebreaker.

CCGS John G. Diefenbaker will be one of the centerpieces of the Government of Canada’s high profile Northern Strategy, which focuses on strengthening Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, economic and social development, governance, and environmental protection.

Where will the Polar Icebreaker operate? How often will it operate?

The Polar Icebreaker’s required area of operations includes all Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act Shipping Control Zones plus all natural extensions of Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone.  In effect, the area of operations includes the High Arctic, throughout the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and extending from the agreed boundaries with the United States to the west and with Denmark (Greenland) to the east, and extending to the North Pole, and the Lower Arctic, including Hudson Bay, Foxe Basin, Hudson Strait, Ungava Bay, Frobisher Bay and Davis Strait.

How long does it take to build a Polar Icebreaker? What is the time schedule of the project?

A large icebreaker has not been constructed in Canada for over 20 years.  Designing, constructing, outfitting and trialing a Polar Icebreaker is a significant undertaking of approximately eight to ten years. For more information,  refer to the proposed Polar Icebreaker Project Schedule.

What will the Polar Icebreaker be doing?

The Polar Icebreaker will be a multi-purpose icebreaker that will provide services such as escorting vessels, harbour breakouts, sealift services to remote communities, Search and Rescue and provide support to researchers, scientists and other government departments and agencies.  The Polar Icebreaker is expected to have a 45-year operational life which makes it impossible to predict all eventual programs, however it will be designed to be operationally flexible and adaptable by using a modular mission payload approach.  

What will be the icebreaking capability of the Polar Icebreaker?

The new Polar Icebreaker will be designed to break ice up to 2.5m thick. Although this may exceed the maximum value for ice thickness in the Arctic Ocean in any given year, it will permit the construction of a ship with the strength and capability to operate in conditions such as ridges, rubble fields and pressurized ice.  Establishing such a design criteria is essential to allow for modeling in ice test tanks to prove the design prior to construction.

Will the Polar Icebreaker be capable of towing?

The Polar Icebreaker, much like any other large Canadian Coast Guard ship will have the capability to provide assistance to disabled vessels in case of an emergency.

Will the new Polar Icebreaker be capable of supporting research and scientists?

The Polar Icebreaker will serve as a platform to conduct scientific and engineering research, development, monitoring and observation on behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other government departments and agencies. This will allow Canada to better understand the Arctic and how it affects and is affected by the global climate system. The principal focus will be on marine, environmental, geological and hydrographic science activities directed over the next several decades. The new Polar Icebreaker will also support the work of Canadian universities, research institutes, and the international scientific community.

What will be the crew size of the Polar Icebreaker? How many people will it be able to carry and what will they be doing?

The exact crew size has not been determined but it is estimated to be in the range of 50‑60 people. The Polar Icebreaker will be able to carry its crew as well as approximately 40 program personnel. There will be surge capacity for 25 additional people on board. Program personnel may include scientists, law enforcement officers, fisheries officers or others.

Will the Polar Icebreaker project generate Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB)?

Yes, Canada's IRB Policy will apply to the Polar Icebreaker project.