We’ve inherited a bit of a mess: procurement minister on research ship cost increases
Posted March 14, 2016 11:53 am.
Last Updated March 14, 2016 3:18 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A research ship which the government initially expected would cost $108-million will now cost at least $64-million more.
The original estimate for the Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel was back in 2008, and procurement minister Judy Foote says that figure didn’t take into account inflation or other costs that could change.
“The numbers that would have been part of the initial shipbuilding procurement strategy, would have been from the previous government,” says Foote. “So we inherited a bit of a mess. We’re working to try and fix that mess and we’re working with our partners to do that.”
In all, she’s leaving the blame on the previous Conservative government.
“We’re not sure what accounted for the costs that were announced initially,” says Foote. “But as you know that was done previously.”
Foote is making these comments as the feds announce two new contracts worth $65-million for Seaspan’s North Vancouver shipyard, $30-million of which is set aside as additional money for building that research vessel, on top of previously committed funding.
