NEW APPROACH LOCAL RESEARCHERS LOOK TO TURN TIDE IN PIRACY FIGHT {page 3}
SOFT-SPOKEN RYAN GOSLING CLAIMS HE’S NO PICKUP ARTIST {page 11}
HALIFAX
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 www.metronews.ca News worth sharing.
N.S. antes up for Irving Provincial government is promising a ‘significant commitment’ to shipbuilding firm British Columbia has already pledged a $35-million tax break should Seaspan win a shipbuilding contract RYAN TAPLIN/METRO
ALEX BOUTILIER
Contract breakdown
@METRONEWS.CA
The major contracts:
Nova Scotia will see British Columbia’s tax credits and raise them one commitment for an undisclosed amount of infrastructure funding. The Dexter government has an agreement with Irving Shipbuilding to kick in infrastructure money should the yard win a National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy contract. But the NDP is not disclosing the details of that agreement. “The province has made a significant commitment to Irving Shipbuilding in the areas of infrastructure and training,” said Toby Koffman, a spokesman for the Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, yesterday. “As with all investments, we will announce the details when a final agreement is in place.” The NDP was reacting to news out of British Columbia, where the Liberal government pledged $35 million in tax rebates to Seaspan Shipyards — should that
$20 billion. COntract to construct 20 large navy warships. $8 billion. Contract to construct coast guard vessels and supply ships. $2 billion. Contract for smaller crafts and repairs.
yard secure contracts worth $35 billion collectively. The B.C. government will also contribute $5 million to support the broader marine industry. Koffman said the details of the agreement with Irving are still subject to negotiations. They’ll be released this fall, should Irving’s bid succeed. “Nothing is for certain, everything is based on assumptions at this point,” said Koffman. Three yards — Irving, Seaspan, and a joint venture between five Ontario-based companies and Quebec’s Davie Shipyards — are in the running for the contracts. A decision is expected in September.
A small boat passes by HMCS Halifax at the Halifax Shipyard yesterday. The province has an agreement with Irving to kick in infrastructure money if the yard wins one of the shipbuilding contracts.