June 16, 2026 – Hamilton, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Vice-Admiral Dan Charlebois assumed command of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) from Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee this morning during a formal change of command ceremony, presided over by General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, at His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Star in Hamilton, Ontario.
The RCN is Canada’s fighting force at sea. It protects Canadians and Canada’s sovereignty, supports the secure maritime trade that underpins our economy, and stands ready to respond in times of crisis at home and abroad. As the RCN continues to adapt to a changing world, this change of command marks the transition of leadership for a force that serves Canadians every day.
Quotes
“Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee has led the Royal Canadian Navy through a period of significant transformation with determination and an unwavering commitment to the people of our Navy—sailors and civilians alike. I thank him for his leadership and for his efforts to strengthen readiness and prepare the institution for the challenges ahead. As Vice-Admiral Dan Charlebois assumes command, he brings the experience, character, and commitment required to lead our Navy into its next chapter. I am confident that, under his leadership, the Royal Canadian Navy will continue to deliver operational excellence at home and abroad, advance modernization, and serve Canadians with pride well into the future.”
General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff
“To lead as Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy has been a true honour and privilege. I have been inspired daily by the skill, grit, and ingenuity of our regular and reserve sailors and the wider Navy team whether in uniform or out, who deliver results for Canadians at home and abroad. I particularly thank the families and loved ones whose support makes our service possible. I am proud of how much we have achieved over the past four years, and grateful to have served alongside the remarkable people who delivered those results. While we have made a lot of progress, there is still a lot of difficult work to be done, and I can’t imagine anyone better to lead those efforts than Vice-Admiral Dan Charlebois.”
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Outgoing Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
“I am humbled and honoured to assume the watch as Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. Our sailors, together with our civilians and the families who support them, are the foundation of everything we do. I’m grateful for Vice-Admiral Topshee’s leadership and for the momentum built on his watch, and I look forward to working with the One Navy Team to strengthen our culture, support our people, sustain readiness today, and continue delivering the Navy Canada needs. I will strive to be worthy of the trust placed in me, and to lead with transparency, professionalism, and respect.”
Vice-Admiral Dan Charlebois, Incoming Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
Quick facts
Vice-Admiral Charlebois assumes Command as the 39th Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. He has served in a variety of command and staff roles throughout his career, most recently serving as the RCN’s Deputy Commander.
After four years as RCN Commander, as part of his distinguished 36-year naval career, Vice-Admiral Topshee will assume the position of Vice Chief of the Defence Staff during a separate ceremony planned for later this summer.
There are approximately 13,000 full- and part-time military members and about 3,700 civilians in the RCN, stationed across Canada and deployed around the world.
The RCN and its sailors represent the Government of Canada across the globe. They are deployed internationally and domestically, making significant contributions to operations with our allies and trusted international partners.
Noah Note: Again an end of an era. Vice-Admiral Topshee has had quite the journey in the Navy. A MARS officer by trade, his operational track record includes his 2009 command of the destroyer HMCS Algonquin, where he led Maritime Forces Pacific's flagship through the 2010 Vancouver Olympics security mandate and a sustained western Pacific deployment.
In 2011, he deployed downrange to Kabul for a year to serve as the NATO Director of Afghan National Police Training Operations. Shortly after, he orchestrated the massive multinational air and naval movements for RIMPAC 2012. Serving as the Director of Operations, a massive logistical feat that earned him the Meritorious Service Medal.
Before taking the helm of the Navy in 2022, Topshee rounded out his strategic portfolio by commanding Canada's largest military base at CFB Halifax for three years, shaping continental defense policy at NORAD and USNORTHCOM headquarters in Colorado as Deputy Director of the Strategy, Policy, and Plans Directorate before moving to the role of commander of Canadian Fleet Pacific, Maritime Forces Pacific, and Joint Task Force Pacific.
At just over four years, Vice-Admiral Topshee is the longest-serving CRCN in over sixty years, having just passed Vice-Admiral Rayner by about six weeks, and coming just a few months short of Vice-Admiral DeWolf. That alone is a massive accomplishment that I hope doesn't go unnoticed by many.
In that time the Vice-Admiral has led on the River-class Destroyer through its crititcal design stage, up to it's Keel Laying. He has led on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, arguably one of the greatest feats of Canadian Defence Procurement in decades. He has set the stage for the next phase of the NSS through things like the Continental Defence Corvette, Arctic Mobile Base, and FASST-V.
He championed the Naval Experience Program, one of the CAFs most successful recruitment initatives in memory, and has managed to further set the stage for the recapitalization of the RCN recruitment and training ecosystem. He has overseen the reorganization of trades in the RCN and the launch of the Advanced Naval Capabilities Unit.
From the farthest we've gone above and below, from pole to pole. From HORIZON to AMARNA, NANOOK-TAKUNIQ to NEON. He has led through the most significant recapitalization and expansion of the Royal Canadian Navy at home and abroad since the 1950s. I don't think anyone can deny that.
The vision of the modern Royal Canadian Navy has run through him. It is, at the end of the day, his vision that we see in many of the projects and concepts today. Perhaps we might have seen them without him, but his voice and his fighting for it has been what many will say has pushed it forward from concept to a proper vision.
Thirty, forty years from now the navy we have will be the one created under his vision. It will undoubtedly be built off his spirit. That is something very few I feel can ever say about their times in such roles.
For many the Vice-Admiral represents the vision of what a leader should be. Engaging, outspoken, passionate, and out there. Let there be no better example than myself, someone who had no reason to be given the time and day, who the Vice-Admiral even before much of our audience knew us, took the time to sit and engage with. That is something I will always hold close to my heart and will forever be grateful for.
I will say if you can ever speak to the Vice-Admiral, make it a point to give him toom to speak history. He is undoubtedly a wonderful storyteller, someone I could listen speak history for hours on. For many, that outspoken, passionate nature is why they're excited to see him in this role.
He is someone who undoubtedly has had a taste of the CAF far and wide, and I have no doubt he will fulfill the role of VCDS excellently. I am very excited to see what he does in this role, and to now CRCN Charlebois, I welcome you to your new role.
We here at TNSR congratulate both of you on your new roles, and wish you joy in todays celebrations.
Maybe some day a CDC will be launched with the name HMCS Topshee