Latest news with #VicFedeli
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Ontario Shipyards partners with province and Italy's largest builder to ready bid for navy corvettes
The Ontario government is boosting efforts to turn the province into an unlikely shipbuilding centre in the hope that its underutilized shipyards can land a multibillion-dollar contract for new Canadian navy corvettes. On Monday, Premier Doug Ford and Vic Fedeli, the Minister of Economic Development, met with senior executives of Algoma Steel ASTL-T of Sault Ste. Marie., Ont., Canada's second-biggest steelmaker. 'We let them know that if they try to pivot into supplying the defence industry and other areas, we would be there to help them,' Mr. Fedeli told The Globe and Mail. Algoma, the country's only publicly listed steel producer, could make steel plate for ships and other heavy military equipment if Ontario Shipyards of Hamilton, the largest ship repair and construction company on the Great Lakes, were to win the corvette contract. Algoma is already listed as a potential supplier to Team Vigilance, the Canadian and international consortium assembled two years ago to bid for the next generation of Canadian naval ships, specifically corvettes. It includes Italy's Fincantieri FNCNF, the largest shipbuilder in Europe and the fourth-largest in the world. Opinion: The USMCA agreement may be circling the drain. Time to fill the trade sink elsewhere Ontario pivots to European defence market with car industry under threat Corvettes are relatively small offshore patrol vessels, or OPVs, that would replace the dozen Kingston Class ships that were built for the Royal Canadian Navy in the mid-1990s and are reaching the end of their careers. The navy announced in July that it will begin to pull eight of the ships out of service in the fall. Those ships are 55 metres long, carry a crew of about 50 and are used for coastal and fisheries patrol, training, minesweeping, search and rescue, law enforcement and drug interdiction. The new Vigilance ships, if built, would be somewhat larger, perhaps 100 metres long, to give them more range and capabilities, said Ted Kirkpatrick, Ontario Shipyards' director of business development and government relations. The federal government has yet to issue a tender for the new corvettes – the navy is reportedly still setting the parameters of the project – and neither Mr. Fedeli nor Mr. Kirkpatrick know the timeline or the expected budget, though the contract could be worth several billion dollars. 'We feel hopeful that this project will move forward fairly quickly,' Mr. Kirkpatrick said, noting that Prime Minister Mark Carney has made rearmament an industrial priority to meet Canada's domestic defence needs and NATO commitments. In an effort to kick-start an ambitious shipbuilding program in Ontario, which has not built a warship since the Second World War, the provincial government last month launched a financial program worth $215-million. The amount is designed to support shipbuilding capacity under the National Shipbuilding Strategy program. Mr. Fedeli said the incentives would be composed of loans and grants and tailored to each project. 'We want Ontario to get back into the shipbuilding business,' he said. Several other funds, including the new Ontario Together Trade Fund, could offer incentives to steel companies and other manufacturers to help them serve Canadian customers. Mr. Kirkpatrick said Ontario Shipyards 'hopes and expects to be a large beneficiary of the incentives programs.' Ontario Shipyards (formerly Heddle Shipyards) was founded in 1987 and has three sites – in Hamilton, Port Weller and Thunder Bay. The company has about 250 employees, and its main business today is repairing coast guard vessels, not building new ships. The company joined Team Vigilance to launch an unsolicited proposal to build a new corvette fleet. In addition to Fincantieri, the group includes Vard, which is Fincantieri's design arm; Thales THLEF, the French defence company that specializes in electronics; and SH Defence of Denmark, a maker of modular loading systems. Ontario Shipyards expects competition for the contract from the other industry players in Canada, primarily Irving Shipbuilding of Nova Scotia, which has a contract worth $8-billion to build the first three River-class destroyers for the navy; Davie Shipbuilding of Quebec, which is making icebreakers for the coast guard; and Seaspan Shipyards of British Columbia, which is building large non-combat ships for the navy and the coast guard. Mr. Kirkpatrick said the three rival shipbuilders have ample work at the moment, leaving only Ontario Shipyards with enough spare capacity to take on a big, new naval contract. 'We have the largest amount of underutilized capacity in Canada,' he said. 'If there is anyone who can put a boat in the water and paint it grey, it's us.' He said the presence of Fincantieri and subsidiary Vard are key advantages for Team Vigilance. Vard would design the vessels, and Fincantieri would handle shipyard layout, procurement and project management. Mr. Kirkpatrick said a team from Fincantieri visited Ontario Shipyards last year to assess the company's capabilities and determine what equipment and training it would need to launch a competitive bid for Canadian navy warships. Fincantieri, based in Trieste, in Italy's northeast, is controlled by the Italian government and is listed on the Milan exchange. The company has built some of world's largest ships for Cunard, Carnival, Princess and other cruise companies. It also builds combat ships, including aircraft carriers and submarines, for the Italian, U.S. and other governments. In Wisconsin, it makes the U.S. Navy's Constellation-class frigates, which are based on the Italian Navy's multipurpose frigates, known as FREMM.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Ontario government unveils $1B tariff relief program
Ontario launches $1 billion loan program to aid steel, aluminum and auto sectors hit by U.S. tariffs; supports payroll, leases and utilities. Ontario ministers Economic Development and Finance Vic Fedeli and Peter Bethlenfalvy share more details with CP24.
CTV News
06-08-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Governments combine on $20.6M fund for North Bay transit upgrades
The funds were announced Wednesday by Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort, left, North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli. North Bay, the province and the federal governments are each contributing to a combined fund of more than $20.6 million to pay for hybrid buses and municipal transit improvements. The funds were announced Wednesday by Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli and Mayor Peter Chirico. The goal is to make North Bay transit safer and easier while cutting down on carbon emissions. North Bay transit cash The funds were announced Wednesday by Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, left, North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico and Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort. (Photos courtesy of Vic Fedeli's office) 'The investment will replace eight conventional buses with hybrid buses in the North Bay Transit fleet and support new sidewalks and stormwater system upgrades,' the federal government said in a news release. The city will also use the funding to upgrade the transit terminal and its fare collection system. 'Transit is key to connecting and creating communities while also building them stronger,' Rochefort said in the release. Reduce emissions, improve safety 'This new transit funding will make it safer and easier for people in our community to get where they need to go while reducing emissions.' Fedeli is quoted as saying that the province is spending almost $70 billion to fund 'the largest transit expansion in Canadian history.' 'Today's investment will help upgrade and expand transit infrastructure in North Bay, connecting more people in our community to housing and jobs, supporting local businesses and growing North Bay's economy while we work to protect Ontario against economic uncertainty and unjust U.S. tariffs,' Fedeli said. Chirico said the money will help make the city's transit system more sustainable and modern. 'From hybrid buses to upgraded infrastructure, these projects will make transit safer, more accessible, and more convenient for everyone,' he said. 'We're grateful for the continued support through the ICIP program over the years, which has been instrumental in helping us strengthen our city's transit network.' In dollar terms, the feds are providing $8,362,099, the province $6,896,755 and North Bay $5,433,480.
Cision Canada
06-08-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Canada and Ontario invest in public transit infrastructure for North Bay residents Français
NORTH BAY, ON, Aug. 6, 2025 /CNW/ - North Bay is gearing up for more sustainable and convenient transit thanks to a combined investment of over $20.6 million from the federal and provincial governments and the City of North Bay. Announced today by MP Pauline Rochefort, MPP Vic Fedeli, and Mayor Peter Chirico, this funding will make transit safer and easier while cutting down on carbon emissions. The investment will replace eight conventional buses with hybrid buses in the North Bay Transit fleet and support new sidewalks and stormwater system upgrades. The city will also use these funds to upgrade a transit terminal and the fare collection system. Investments in public transit help Canadians get where they need to be, create new manufacturing and construction jobs, reduce pollution, and make life more affordable. Quotes "Transit is key to connecting and creating communities while also building them stronger. This new transit funding will make it safer and easier for people in our community to get where they need to go while reducing emissions." Pauline Rochefort, Member of Parliament for Nipissing—Timiskaming "Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing nearly $70 billion to deliver the largest transit expansion in Canadian history. Today's investment will help upgrade and expand transit infrastructure in North Bay, connecting more people in our community to housing and jobs, supporting local businesses and growing North Bay's economy while we work to protect Ontario against economic uncertainty and unjust U.S. tariffs." Vic Fedeli, Member of Provincial Parliament for Nipissing "This investment will help us support and improve a more sustainable, modern transit system in North Bay. From hybrid buses to upgraded infrastructure, these projects will make transit safer, more accessible, and more convenient for everyone. We're grateful for the continued support through the ICIP program over the years, which has been instrumental in helping us strengthen our city's transit network." Quick Facts Through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Government of Canada is investing $8,362,099, the Government of Ontario is investing $6,896,755 and the City of North Bay is contributing $5,433,480. Investments in public transit help Canadians get where they need to be, create new manufacturing and construction jobs, reduce pollution, and make life more affordable. In 2021, the government announced significant public transit funding that includes billions in support for zero emission buses, rural transit solutions, active transportation, and support for major projects to accelerate the expansion of large urban transit systems that many Canadians depend on every day. The new Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) will provide an average of $3 billion a year of permanent funding to respond to local transit needs by enhancing integrated planning, improving access to public transit and active transportation, and supporting the development of more affordable, sustainable, and inclusive communities. The CPTF supports transit and active transportation investments in three streams: Metro Region Agreements, Baseline Funding, and Targeted Funding. Visit the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada website for more information. The Ontario government is investing nearly $70 billion over the next decade to build public transit. Ontario is also providing the City of North Bay with $784,736 in funding through the province's 2024-25 Gas Tax program. The Gas Tax program provides Ontario municipalities with a stable source of dedicated funding that can be used to increase public transit service, purchase new vehicles and improve accessibility to increase transit ridership. Public Transit Infrastructure Stream Housing and Infrastructure Project Map Strengthened Climate Plan 2024-25 Gas Tax Funding by Municipality Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Renée LeBlanc Proctor, Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Dakota Brasier, Ontario Minister of Transportation's Office, [email protected]; Gord Young, Communication Officer, City of North Bay, 705-474-0400, ext. 2505, [email protected]
Cision Canada
06-08-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in North Bay/ Français
NORTH BAY, ON, Aug. 5, 2025 /CNW/ - Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Pauline Rochefort, Member of Parliament for Nipissing—Timiskaming, Vic Fedeli, Member of Provincial Parliament for Nipissing, and Peter Chirico, Mayor of North Bay. Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Renée LeBlanc Proctor, Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Dakota Brasier, Ontario Minister of Transportation's Office, [email protected]; Gord Young, Communication Officer, City of North Bay, 705-474-0400, ext. 2505, [email protected]
