JEDI is hosting the last of its 6 shipbuilding community dialogue sessions tonight in Bathurst, NB at Lakeview Inns and Suites from 6:30-8:30pm. All members of the Aboriginal community are welcome!
The shipbuilding community dialogue sessions have allowed Aboriginal people in NB to give their opinion on how to pursue economic opportunities in relation to the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) where the Government of Canada will expend approximately $25 Billion in Eastern Canada over the next 30 years.
JEDI is currently mapping out a New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy based on all of this input. The strategy will be released next month and will help us to determine the Aboriginal resources needed now and in the future. If you haven’t had a chance to participate in any of the community dialogue sessions, please provide us with your feedback online, your opinion is important! Click here to access the Shipbuilding Dialog Website.
According to the J.D. Irving website, as of December 2, 2013, $127 million in contracts relating to the shipbuilding opportunity have already been awarded. “To date, New Brunswick companies have been awarded 6.5% of the total value of the contracts.”
“Only companies that join the supplier registry will receive invitations for Requests for Proposals or Requests for Quotes,” said Bill Teed, Chair of Enterprise Saint John. “By having more companies join the supplier registry, …businesses will have a greater chance of being awarded contracts, which will in turn increase the likelihood that these companies will create new jobs."
The New Brunswick companies that are already benefiting from these contracts are:
- The Estey Group, Saint John, New Brunswick (safety products)
- Shaw Signs, Hampton, New Brunswick (signage)
- Stor-It Systems, Saint John, New Brunswick (material handling equipment)
- APPlus, Saint John, New Brunswick (testing, inspection & certification)
- A & R Concrete Drilling & Sawing, Saint John, New Brunswick (demolition)
- Atlantic Underground Services, Riverview, New Brunswick (concrete rehabilitation)
- Lancor, Dieppe, New Brunswick (concrete contractor)
- Gulf Operators, Saint John, New Brunswick (demolition services, general contracting, excavation)
The shipbuilding project is expected to create 11,500 direct, in-direct and spin-off jobs in Atlantic Canada.
Make your voice heard so that JEDI can create the most comprehensive New Brunswick Aboriginal Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy possible. Click here to access the Shipbuilding Dialog Website and give your feedback now.