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For immediate release

October 19, 2011- Halifax, NS- “Winning this bid is fantastic news and is a game-changer for Halifax and Nova Scotia,” says Valerie Payn, President and CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. “This is a significant investment in our community and will help to create a new generation of shipbuilders.”

“The Chamber along with the community and Ships Start Here partners were confident in Halifax’s ability to secure this bid,” says Payn. “It is always great to see our community come together - and if the Ships Start Here lawn signs were any indication – Nova Scotians showed Ottawa that Canadian ships do start here.”

The defense portion of the two contracts is worth $25 billion and will create and sustain up to 4,000 direct jobs across Nova Scotia during the next 20 years, with peak employment reaching over 11,500 jobs.  

“The spin-offs would be tremendous,” adds Payn. “Securing this contract means billions in economic development and business growth, payroll, tax revenues and consumer spending for our province,” continues Payn. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to strengthen Nova Scotia’s economy.”

“Irving Shipbuilding has been fully focused on this competition, and we, along with the other partners and the community have been confident that Nova Scotia has the skilled people, technology and ongoing investment in infrastructure, and best practices to provide Canada the best value for money and world-class ships that will make Canada proud,” says Payn.

“We also know, based on experience from past major shipbuilding programs, that the economic benefits spread beyond the shipyard, across our city and province and indeed across Canada,” continues Payn. “Winning this contract will not only build upon our province’s Marine expertise and traditions, but will have a significant impact on the Atlantic and Nova Scotia economy for decades to come.”

“We can’t wait to get the celebrations underway and more importantly to start building ships.”

                                                                                          -30-

For more information contact:

Janet Creamer-Tobin
Director of Marketing and Communications
Halifax Chamber of Commerce
(902) 481-1240
Bberry: 499-6494
janet@halifaxchamber.com

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