Hamilton shipyard agreement expected to create at least 50 jobs in Ontario

A new agreement between shipyards in Hamilton and Vancouver is expected to create at least 50 jobs and tens of millions of dollars" in economic activity in Ontario, the province announced on Thursday.

Hamilton's Heddle Shipyards will be the primary supplier for ladders, gratings and hand rails for Vancouver-based Seaspan Shipyards, which has been awarded a contract to build joint support ships (JSS) for the Canadian government, according to a Nov. 12 media release.

These components will be manufactured at facilities in Hamilton, St. Catharines and Thunder Bay.

This historic partnership with Seaspan will create highly skilled, well-paying jobs in communities across the province, contribute to the construction of quality, Ontario-made components for these ships, and reinforce Hamilton's status as a critical transportation hub in the province," said Premier Doug Ford.

Ford and Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli were in Hamilton on Thursday to announce the agreement.

The province plans to invest $4.8 billion in initiatives to support jobs as part of Ontario's recovery plan, the release reads. The province said it has taken significant steps" to make Ontario attractive to businesses and manufacturers.

This agreement marks a significant moment for our company and the Province of Ontario," said Shaun Padulo, president of Heddle Shipyards. We are extremely proud that Ontario shipyards will play an increasingly significant role in the National Shipbuilding Strategy."

The multibillion-dollar shipbuilding strategy, launched in 2011 under the Conservative government, is a long-term project to renew Canada's federal fleet.

Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com