On November 28, 2023 CGAI was delighted to host Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee for a lunchtime roundtable discussion in Calgary focused on the current and future state of the RCN, Naval Command priorities, RCN capabilities employed in support of Government of Canada policies/priorities and Canadian interests at home and abroad.

Main points of discussion:

CAF Personnel Challenges

• Recruitment targets have never been hit this century.
• Too few of interested applicants express interest in the Navy.
• The Naval Experience Program was designed to help, and has received good uptake. Too early to judge on its success of retaining enrollees.
• There is a need for amending the rigidity of the medical screening for potential recruits. Current medical screening disqualifies otherwise qualified applicants for minor issues that can be accommodated.
• Opportunity for digitization to help with future fitness testing of new applicants.

RCN Recapitalization and Capabilities

• 2035 is the target for the first deployable CSC.
• We are in the early stages of the submarine replacement process.
• Reliant on allies to fill capabilities gaps.
• Evaluation of readiness.

General Discussion

• The HMCS Calgary receives a high level of community support and engagement.
• Obstacles for solving the personnel and equipment challenges the RCN faces.
• Misperceptions and misunderstanding of Canadian naval history.
• Misalignments with the threat perception and threat environment the RCN operates.
• Lessons learned from the Russo-Ukrainian War.
  • Misperceptions of readiness, training and capabilities.
  • Empowering sailors to employ low level innovations to solve problems.