Township of Economic Round Table Backgrounder

Ship Repair & Defence

Our Naval Economy • In 2011, defence services were ranked Definitions the second largest employment Ship Repair and Defence are Esqui- Ship Repair and Fitting means industry in with 6,445 malt’s largest economic players. Within the use of design and mechani- employed or 3.6% of all employment.5 Esquimalt’s municipal boundaries are: cal means to either restore or the (CFB) Esqui- • Seaspan is currently undertaking enhance the integrity of a ship in- malt, Esquimalt Graving Dock and the the Frigate Equipment Life Extension cluding regular maintenance and Industrial Marine Training and Applied project at the Graving Dock. The pro- the installation of ship systems. Research Center (IMTARC). gram involves the mid-life refit of 12 Defence means the use of force multi-role patrol CFB Esquimalt is home to the Canadian and training to use force by frigates originally built in the 1990s. Pacific Naval Fleet. First established as members of the Canadian Armed The planned modernization includes a military installation by the Forces to protect the sovereignty a new command and control system, in 1855, CFB Esquimalt has been serv- of against unauthorized new radar capability, a new electronic ing the Canadian Navy from its incep- intrusions into Canadian territory warfare system and upgraded commu- tion in 1910. The base is responsible for or insurgency within Canadian nications and missiles.6 providing support services to all ships territory and also includes all and personnel of both Maritime Forces • Seaspan has been awarded the private commercial enterprises Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific.1 non-combat vessel portion of the Na- that support the Department of tional Shipbuilding Procurement Strat- The Esquimalt Graving Dock is federally National Defence and the Cana- egy. The ships will be built in North owned and operated by Public Works dian Armed Forces. Vancouver and fitted at the Esquimalt and Government Services Canada. Graving Dock. The contract worth is $2 Esquimalt Graving Dock is now the of Western Economic Diversification billion in Esquimalt. largest non-military site for ship repair and by industry including Seaspan and fitting on the west coast of North • Babcock Canada is the project man- Shipyards, BC Ferries, Babcock Canada, America and has the capacity to ser- ager for the Victoria In-Service Support Lockheed Martin Canada and Thales vice 90% of the world’s ships. All work is Contract (VISSC) project for Canada’s Canada. While the initial efforts to carried out by private sector ship repair submarine fleet. Babcock has recently create IMTARC date back to 2008, the and fitting companies. opened a facility in Esquimalt’s indus- Centre’s construction did not begin trial park. They employ approximately IMTARC is a 4,000-square-foot training until August 2013 and is now in full 170 people locally. facility whose purpose is to provide operation.3 workforce development and applied • Although not based in Esquimalt, the research that contributes to the com- Key Facts German company, Atlas Elektronik is petitiveness and productivity of BC’s • CFB Esquimalt and Maritime Forces active in the Victoria Class Submarine 2 shipbuilding and repair industry. The Pacific contribute over half a billion program and is actively pursuing other construction and outfitting of IMTARC dollars annually to the local economy. 4 initiatives in support of Esquimalt’s was funded by the federal department economy. ...more

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: This is one in a series of eight backgrounder documents Marlene Lagoa, Community Development Coordinator available for public review as part of Esquimalt’s Economic [email protected] Development Strategy. To provide your input, please visit our Tel: 250-414-7114 website to review information and take our online survey. Township of Esquimalt Ship Repair & Defence Backgrounder Round Table Recommendations • Advocate for “shipbuilding and repair” to be its own category in provincial labour reports The Esquimalt Round Table on Ship Repair & Defence iden- tified the following as priority areas for action. • Have the municipal council presence at all industry announcements 1. Promote Esquimalt • Investigate opportunity for new business on First Na- • Develop recruitment strategy for physicians tions land • Promote Esquimalt as “best place to live and work” • Advocate for more direct flights to Victoria Airport • Consider sister-city relationship with Asia Pacific 5. Cater to the Needs of Ship Repair and Fitting Industry 2. Collaborate with CFB Esquimalt • Host workshop to plan for the future needs of industry • Gather Industry/CFB Esquimalt input on OCP Update • Investigate what infrastructure is needed for industry • Discuss “best use” of Work Point lands with Base Com- • Develop child care strategy catering to industry workers mander • Find a large warehouse space for the Victoria Class sub- • Establish a first point of contact between Township marine in Esquimalt and CFB Esquimalt • Develop a secure industrial park facility catering to 3. Improve Community Relations needs of ship repair and fitting industry • Develop a communication plan and highlight benefit • Move forward rezoning of the industrial park of ship repair/fitting industry to residents/businesses • Communicate needs of industry to industrial land • Promote “good news stories” of environmental actions owners being completed by industry and CFB Esquimalt • Host workshop to introduce industry to industrial land- • Organize shipbuilding industry awareness week event owners • Develop an integrated transportation strategy • Consult with planners/industry in Halifax/Dartmouth • Research how North Vancouver has resolved traffic • Upgrade Graving Dock facilities against tsunami and transportation issues 6. Promote Careers in Ship Repair and Fitting • Use social media channels to create stronger link be- tween Seaspan and community • Get message out to university graduates • Improve partnerships between industry, community • Host a Trades Awareness Day and the Chamber • Provide messaging on career opportunities on the • Host Graving Dock Open House Community Channel • Coordinate economic development strategy with ship- 4. Township Advocate for Ship Repair and Fitting Industry building workforce strategy • Advocate for shipbuilding industry as much as possible • Provide link from Township website and social media • Support a lengthy in-stream maintenance support channels to “Workforce Strategy” contract for Seaspan • Promote research and innovation by collaborating with • Support IMTARC as much as possible the University of Victoria • Take leadership role in facilitating regional coordination • Create briefing binder for politicians on ship repair and Sources 1 fitting industry with easy messaging Royal Canadian Navy (2014). MARPAC Base & Units - Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. 2 Industrial Marine Training and Applied Research Center (2014). About IMTARC. • Educate regional MPs and MLAs on importance of ship 3 Industrial Marine Training and Applied Research Center (IMTARC 2014). About IMTARC. repair and fitting industry 4 Royal Canadian Navy (2014). MARPAC Base & Units - Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. • Invite MPs and MLAs to information sessions on ship 5 Victoria Foundation (2014). Victoria’s Vital Signs: Greater Victoria’s 2013 Annual Check-up. repair and fitting industry 6 Canada (2013). Halifax-class Modernization / Frigate Life Extension.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Marlene Lagoa, Community Development Coordinator [email protected] Tel: 250-414-7114 www.esquimalt.ca