By Dr. Ann Griffiths, 9 October 2025
We have a special treat in store for CNR fans. Given the exciting changes that have occurred recently, including a change in its institutional home, we’ve produced a theme issue focused on the Canadian Coast Guard. This theme issue is sponsored by the Canadian Maritime Security Network.
This issue of CNR contains a variety of articles, by high-level and well-known authors, examining different elements of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). We start with quick overviews of the traditional roles the CCG has performed, particularly in the Arctic, and the new era for the CCG – in terms of new ships, new threats, new opportunities and new environment.
Our first article, “The Canadian Coast Guard and National Security,” looks at how the CCG can contribute to the national security environment after its move to DND. The second article, “Canada’s Coast Guard at a Crossroads: Safeguarding Shores and Security,” examines how the CCG move to DND can leverage “the CCG’s assets and capabilities to close gaps in the country’s common operating picture and deliver a more holistic national defence.”
The third article, “The Cost of Success: Rebuilding the Coast Guard’s Arctic Capabilities,” outlines that, despite the welcome addition of new ships for the CCG, the Canadian government is perpetuating the boom-and-bust cycle of shipbuilding. As well, the government is ensuring that the CCG will be ironing out wrinkles for years because of (a) the problems inherent in the first-of-class builds, (b) the different maintenance, crewing and training needs for the different ships, and (c) the fact that, once again, the fleet will have to be replaced wholesale in 30(ish) years. The fourth article, “The Canadian Coast Guard Arctic Region: Transforming Arctic Search and Rescue,” takes a close look at how the CCG has worked to improve its relationships in the North, and in this way to improve its response, and the response of local communities, to search-and-rescue operations. The final article, “How US Coast Guard Failures can Inform Canadian Success,” examines the recent USCG experience recapitalizing its fleet. In particular the article focuses on the need for strategic planning and getting the support of politicians, and examines hard lessons the USCG has learned about recruitment – with the hope that the CCG can learn from these lessons.
We don’t have our usual Making Waves commentaries, or “A View from the West” or “Warship Developments” but we do have “Dollars and Sense.” In this issue, “Dollars and Sense” looks at how the move of the CCG to DND affects defence spending, and can contribute to enhanced maritime domain awareness.
In addition to all this great information, we have our usual amazing photos – this time with a focus on CCG red and white ships!
Assuming that the Canada Post strike ends in the near future, the fall issue will be in your mailbox soon. E-subscribers will receive copies soon too. See below for the Table of Contents.
Table of Contents
Vol. 21, No. 2 (Fall 2025)
Canadian Coast Guard Theme Issue
Introduction to this Theme Issue
Adam Lajeunesse
The Canadian Coast Guard: A New Era?
Jody Thomas
The Canadian Coast Guard in the Arctic: Securing Supplies, Sovereignty and Response
Youssef Mani
The Canadian Coast Guard and National Security
Chris Henderson
Canada’s Coast Guard at a Crossroads: Safeguarding Shores and Security
Adam Lajeunesse
The Cost of Success: Rebuilding the Coast Guard’s Arctic Capabilities
Rob Huebert
The Canadian Coast Guard Arctic Region: Transforming Arctic Search and Rescue
Peter Kikkert and P. Whitney Lackenbauer
How US Coast Guard Failures can Inform Canadian Success
James Dillard
Dollars and Sense: Giving the Canadian Coast Guard a Larger National Security Role
Dave Perry
Book Reviews
