Ericsson
05-15-2007, 09:31 AM
The Conservative government appears set to break a campaign promise to purchase three heavy, armed icebreakers for the Canadian Forces to defend Arctic sovereignty.
The $3-billion promise was made during the last election campaign. It was a centrepiece of the Conservatives' defence plan, part of their platform to, as the party put it, "Stand Up for Arctic Sovereignty."
Instead, the cabinet is considering a plan to buy six smaller ice-protected vessels instead of icebreakers.
The icebreakers are three huge and heavy ships, capable of plowing through thick sea ice well into the winter.
The six smaller boats proposed by the military appear to be less ice-capable, but much less expensive, as well.
"Much of the ice is starting to melt and the shipping season in the Arctic is getting longer and longer," said Pierre LeBlanc, the former commander of Canadian Forces in the North. "But nevertheless we should have a capability to operate in our Arctic waters all year round."
The $3-billion promise was made during the last election campaign. It was a centrepiece of the Conservatives' defence plan, part of their platform to, as the party put it, "Stand Up for Arctic Sovereignty."
Instead, the cabinet is considering a plan to buy six smaller ice-protected vessels instead of icebreakers.
The icebreakers are three huge and heavy ships, capable of plowing through thick sea ice well into the winter.
The six smaller boats proposed by the military appear to be less ice-capable, but much less expensive, as well.
"Much of the ice is starting to melt and the shipping season in the Arctic is getting longer and longer," said Pierre LeBlanc, the former commander of Canadian Forces in the North. "But nevertheless we should have a capability to operate in our Arctic waters all year round."