Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the next four years, the Canadian navy will receive 12 new Maritime coastal defence vessels. These general purpose ships will undertake a full range of coastal patrol duties including search and rescue missions, defence and sovereignty patrols, mine counter measures, operations and fishery patrols. This overall contract, valued at some $650 million, is scheduled for completion by the year 1999. At that time, the last vessel will be delivered to the navy with a final allocation of six ships each to the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans. They forgot the third ocean, Mr. Speaker, but we can work on that one after awhile.

These ships will be capable of conducting naval vessel tasks previously undertaken by larger vessels. In addition to providing traditional support to the navy, the new ships will supply more effective and efficient, cost-effective support, introducing expanding mine sweeping operations and capabilities and a superior capacity to inspect in this, the most important part, the ocean bottom.

These new ships will be named, representing cities. A ship's name represents a source of great pride to its company, and over time, the ship's identity and tradition takes on a very special meaning to the crew, building morale and esprit de corps.

In this particular case, the new ships will be named after a city or a town of each Canadian province and territory, thereby linking these communities across the nation. The lead ship will be named Kingston, and, once commissioned, another of the new vessels will be named the Yellowknife.

The Honourable David Collenette, Minister of National Defence, said it is fitting that we honour these strong communities across Canada with lasting and significant ties to the Canadian navy.

The Yellowknife will follow in the rich tradition of ships that carry the names of various cities during the last world war. These vessels formed the backbone of the Royal Canadian Navy and were providing escort services. They were instrumental in keeping the supply lines open between Europe and North America.

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to conclude.