Sophie Gregoire Trudeau spoke at the official naming of Canadasa国际传媒檚 first Arctic and offshore patrol ship in Halifax on Friday afternoon, praising the bravery of the veteran sailor for whom it is named.
The future HMCS Harry DeWolf is named in honour of a vice-admiral who oversaw the rescue of 42 sailors from HMCS Athabaskan on April 29, 1944, during the Second World War.
sa国际传媒淗is perseverance and his hope for a better country, we all need more of it. Canada needs more of it,sa国际传媒� said Gregoire Trudeau, addressing hundreds of navy members, shipbuilders and dignitaries at the Irving Shipyard where the vessel was built.
sa国际传媒淗e was decorated many times for outstanding service throughout his naval career. He was a local hero to many because of his exceptional character and bravery.sa国际传媒�
Gregoire Trudeau broke a bottle of Nova Scotia bubbly against the bow of the 103 metre-long vessel, which she said will sa国际传媒減rovide capabilities that will benefit Canadians and the world.sa国际传媒�
The ship is the first of at least five Arctic and offshore patrol vessels that will be tasked with patrolling Canadian waters, including the Arctic.
Irving said construction of the second and third vessels sa国际传媒� to be known as HMCS Margaret Brooke and HMCS Max Bernays sa国际传媒� is already well underway, and construction of a fourth is set to begin later this year.
In her speech, Gregoire Trudeau, the wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, acknowledged the hard work of the navy members who will make up the shipsa国际传媒檚 crew.
sa国际传媒淲e all share this path of hard work, this path of service, and we are one big family. We must continue to surround and encourage the work of so many exceptional Canadians that will be on board this ship,sa国际传媒� she said.
sa国际传媒淭o the entire Harry DeWolf courageous crew, we say fairest winds and following seas. Bonne navigation!sa国际传媒�
Gregoire Trudeau was joined by several federal politicians, including Treasury Board President Scott Brison and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.
Also speaking Friday afternoon, Irving Shipbuilding co-CEO J.D. Irving told the crowd he was proud of the shipbuilders who worked on the Harry DeWolf, which will be the first large ship the Canadian Navy will receive in 20 years.
sa国际传媒淲e know the men and women of this shipyard have, and continue, to put their skills to work every day to deliver the best value for Canada,sa国际传媒� he said.
sa国际传媒淲e believe the best shipbuilding team in the country sa国际传媒� 1,900 strong and growing sa国际传媒� is right here.sa国际传媒�
Irving made multiple references to the National Shipbuilding Strategy, a long-term project awarded to the company in 2011 in an effort to revitalize the countrysa国际传媒檚 shipbuilding industry.
sa国际传媒淲e all worked together to achieve this historic landmark goal. Together, we earned this historic contract,sa国际传媒� he said.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 been a game-changer, a generational opportunity that we do not take for granted.sa国际传媒�
The ship will need to go through testing to make sure everything works according to the specifications in the contract.
Irving will also build 15 vessels under the Canadian Surface Combatant project over the next 25 years.
Alex Cooke, The Canadian Press
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