ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 1, 2012) - Rick Dykstra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, welcomed a new contract at Seaway Marine and Industrial Inc. in St. Catharines to conduct repair work on the CCGS Amundsen.

"I am proud to be part of a government that is making strategic investments in the Canadian Coast Guard and awarding this work through an open, fair and transparent contract awarding process," said MP Rick Dykstra. "This work not only supports Canada's future research priorities in the Arctic, but also supports job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity right here in St. Catharines."

Repairs to the CCGS Amundsen will be undertaken in two phases. Phase one will be conducted at Seaway Marine and Industrial Inc. with significant engine repairs aimed at having the vessel back in full service for the 2013 summer Arctic season. This work represents a $6 million contract for Seaway Marine and Industrial Inc.

Phase two will focus on replacement or repairs to manoeuvring, communications and navigation systems, the hull and related structures, as well as deck equipment and domestic systems for fresh water, heating and other minor upgrades.

The CCGS Amundsen was built in 1979 and is one of four vessels in the Medium Icebreaker class. Through an agreement with Université Laval, the CCGS Amundsen has been converted into an Arctic science vessel and made available to the ArcticNet program for groundbreaking scientific research. The federal government works with ArcticNet along with Inuit peoples, universities and industry to better understand our Arctic waters.

For Broadcast: Rick Dykstra, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, welcomed a new contract at SeaWay Marine and Industrial Inc. in St. Catharines to conduct repair work on the CCGS Amundsen. This reinforces the Government's commitment to creating jobs and economic growth and prosperity across Canada as well as an ongoing commitment to science and Arctic research. Phase One of these repairs will be undertaken in St. Catharines which will provide a big economic boost to the local economy.

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca.

This news release is available online at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.