The Canadian Coast Guard’s newest light icebreaker has been named after former federal Cabinet Minister and Secretary of State Judy LaMarsh.
The name was announced at a ceremony Monday morning at the Coast Guard base in Prescott by Kingston and the Islands MP Mark Gerretsen.
The ship, purchased last November, is staying at the Prescott base while it undergoes some design and conversion work.
“I’m very pleased to see that the Canadian Coast Guard will be honouring the Honourable Judy LaMarsh’s many accomplishments through its newest light icebreaker,” Gerretsen says. “This vessel will help the Canadian Coast Guard continue its excellent work, while ensuring other icebreakers can receive the maintenance updates they need to meet their high standards of performance.”
LaMarsh, who was the second woman to ever serve as a federal Cabinet Minister, helped create initiatives like Medicare and the Canada Pension Plan while in office in the 1960s.
Icebreaker ships are used to clear ice out of waterways and ensure smooth travel for other ships during the winter.
The CCGS Judy LaMarsh is expected to be ready to start ice breaking as soon as this winter.