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Royal Canadian Navy Pays Off Kingston-class warships

National Defence

News release

September 29, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, His Majesty's Canadian Ships (HMCS) Saskatoon, Whitehorse, and Brandon were paid off and celebrated for their service to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in a formal ceremony in Esquimalt, British Columbia.

A similar ceremony will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 3, where HMC Ships Shawinigan, Summerside, Goose Bay, Glace Bay,and Kingston will be paid off.

The term "paying off" refers to the British practice of paying a crew their wages once a ship has completed its voyage. In the RCN, the tradition continues with the term paying off referring to the formal ceremony where the naval jack, ensign, and commissioning pennant are hauled down, the crew departs a ship for the last time, and the ship is then no longer referred to as His Majesty's Canadian Ship.

Since their commissioning in 1996, Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDVs) have served as the training ground for countless sailors in both the Reserve and Regular Force and were an important avenue to improve at-sea Reserve Force augmentation within the RCN.

Kingston-class vessels and their crews deployed on Operation CARIBBE in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Oceans, Operation PROJECTION in West Africa, Operation REASSURANCE in the Baltic Sea, and on multiple domestic operations across Canada's three oceans, particularly in the Arctic and northern regions. They conducted fishery patrols, search and rescue operations, nuclear submarine escorts, mine-countermeasure operations, and national and international exercises.

The RCN recognizes and celebrates the long and distinguished service of the Kingston class and its crew members, past and present.

Quotes

"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."

Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander Royal Canadian Navy 

"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."

Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic & Joint Task Force Atlantic

"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."

Rear-Admiral David Patchell, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific & Joint Task Force Pacific

"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."

Rear-Admiral David Patchell, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific & Joint Task Force Pacific

Quick facts

• MCDVs are multi-role minor war vessels with a primary mission of coastal surveillance and patrol, including general naval operations and exercises, search and rescue, law enforcement, resource protection and fisheries patrols.

• The RCN's remaining operational Kingston-class vessels will consolidate under Maritime Forces Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia. HMC Ships Moncton, Yellowknife, and Edmonton will remain based in Halifax, and HMCS Nanaimo will transit to Halifax later this year. This consolidation will support current operational commitments, and efficient maintenance and crewing of the remaining Kingston-class vessels and the broader RCN fleet.

• The RCN is well-prepared for the transition to modern warships, ensuring continued excellence in training and operations. The divestment of the Kingston-class will not reduce capability, as their missions will be reassigned to existing assets and new platforms being introduced.