May 12, 2015, BAS-CARAQUET (GNB) – The provincial government will invest $3.8 million in the shipbuilding industry, helping to create more than 75 jobs and positioning the industry for future growth.

“As a government, we must establish a climate for entrepreneurs and businesses to create jobs by capitalizing on their ideas, their entrepreneurial spirit, and their hard work,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “That is exactly what we are doing today by welcoming the Ocean Group company to New Brunswick. Our priorities are to create jobs, correct the province’s finances, and help our families, and today’s announcement covers those three priorities.”

Opportunities NB will provide Ocean Group with a payroll rebate of up to $3.8 million to offset salary expenses and help create 77 jobs.

“We are extremely proud to contribute to the success of this project as a key player in reviving the Bas-Caraquet Naval Centre,” said Jacques Tanguay, Ocean Group’s first vice-president and general manager. “We are consolidating our position as one of the leading providers of maritime solutions in eastern Canada.”

Ocean Group has already hired about 30 local workers and graduates from the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, Péninsule acadienne campus, who are currently receiving their initial training at the company’s facilities in Quebec City. They will start working at the shipyard in June.

The company will invest $29 million over a five-year period as it undertakes the first construction project at the Naval Centre.

The New Brunswick Naval Centre will also invest $4 million in the project.

“We are pleased to announce the improvements to be made to our infrastructure and the addition of a new shipyard,” said Naval Centre president and CEO Michel R. Beaudry. “The Naval Centre is now in a position to work actively with the private sector in reviving the shipbuilding industry in New Brunswick.”

The Regional Development Corporation and the Miramichi Regional Economic Development and Innovation Fund recently announced an additional investment of $4 million, which will allow the New Brunswick Naval Centre to proceed with the construction of new infrastructure and make improvements to its existing infrastructure.

Ocean Group is a Quebec company that works in the maritime sector. It has about 750 employees and 15 business locations and is one of the leading providers of maritime solutions in Canada.

MEDIA CONTACT(S):

Shawn Berry, communications, Office of the Premier, 506-453-2144.

Elaine Bell, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-453-8607.

Michel Beaudry, president and CEO, New Brunswick Naval Centre, 506-753-9641.

Philippe Filion, director of public affairs and business development, Ocean Group, 418-928-7056.