On September 29, 2025, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) bid a ceremonial farewell to three of its stalwart coastal defence vessels—HMCS Saskatoon, Whitehorse, and Brandon—in a formal paying-off ceremony held at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, British Columbia.
In a few days’ time, on October 3, the tradition will continue in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where HMCS Shawinigan, Summerside, Goose Bay, Glace Bay, and Kingston will also be paid off, closing the final chapter in nearly three decades of Kingston-class service.
“As the first Kingston-class ships retire from service, we honour decades of operational excellence and the thousands of sailors from all classes of service across the Royal Canadian Navy who operated these capable ships throughout Canada’s three oceans and as far abroad as Europe, Africa, and South America. These ships served Canada with distinction, and I am extremely grateful to all those who served in or sustained them,” remarked Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander Royal Canadian Navy.
A Naval Tradition with Deep Roots
“Paying off” may sound like financial housekeeping, but the term carries centuries of naval tradition. Stemming from the Royal Navy practice of settling a crew’s wages when a voyage concluded, the modern RCN uses the phrase to describe the dignified decommissioning of a ship. It is marked by the lowering of the naval jack, ensign, and commissioning pennant, followed by the crew’s final departure. From that moment forward, the vessel ceases to be referred to as His Majesty’s Canadian Ship.
“For three decades, Kingston-class vessels have patrolled Canada’s maritime approaches, supported international operations, and contributed to generating naval personnel in occupation of both the Regular Force and Naval Reserve. Their contributions have shaped the Royal Canadian Navy’s operational readiness and resilience, and their legacy will continue to influence the integration of the future fleet and the sailors who carry forward their spirit of resolve and commitment,” expressed Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic & Joint Task Force Atlantic.
Training Grounds and Frontline Missions
Since their commissioning in 1996, the Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDVs) have been more than steel and engines—they’ve been floating classrooms for generations of sailors. Designed to bridge the Regular and Reserve Forces, they provided a vital pathway for training and at-sea augmentation.
But their contributions extended far beyond the classroom. Kingston-class ships and their crews were deployed on some of the RCN’s most critical missions at home and abroad. They took part in Operation CARIBBE in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, interdicting illicit trafficking; Operation PROJECTION in West Africa, strengthening international partnerships; and Operation REASSURANCE in the Baltic Sea, reinforcing NATO allies. Closer to home, they patrolled Canada’s three oceans, working in fisheries enforcement, Arctic sovereignty, mine-countermeasure operations, and submarine escorts. Their versatility made them indispensable to Canada’s maritime presence.
“The Kingston-class ships have been a vital part of Maritime Forces Pacific’s operational capability for over thirty years. Their versatility and endurance enabled vital missions at home and abroad – from coastal surveillance and sovereignty patrols to multinational exercises and humanitarian operations. As we mark their retirement, we honour the sailors, technicians, and support teams whose dedication ensured these ships served with distinction. Their legacy will continue to shape our future fleet and inspire the next generation of sailors,” conveyed Rear-Admiral David Patchell, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific & Joint Task Force Pacific.
Closing a Distinguished Chapter
For nearly 30 years, the Kingston class carried Canada’s naval flag into diverse waters, contributing to security, sovereignty, and international cooperation. Their departure is not just the retirement of ships but the recognition of thousands of sailors—Regular and Reserve—who sharpened their seamanship and leadership aboard these vessels.
“These ships and their crews have embodied the very spirit of the Naval Reserve – resilience, professionalism, and steadfast service to our nation at sea. They forged a legacy of force generation and maritime readiness and produced many firsts for the Navy: pioneering operations in the North, trans-oceanic deployments for mine warfare, diversity in leadership positions and advancing women in command. This legacy will continue to inspire and strengthen the Royal Canadian Navy as we build the Navy Canada needs,” stated Commodore Beth Vallis, Commander Naval Reserve.
As the RCN looks to the future with newer fleets under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the paying off of the Kingston class is both an ending and a reminder of the ships’ lasting legacy. They leave behind a proud history of service and a generation of sailors ready to carry forward the Navy’s mission.