By Ted Barnes, 1 September 2025
After nearly three decades of service at sea, the Royal Canadian Navy will formally bid farewell to the Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels. Marking the end of an era, paying off ceremonies will be held on both coasts to honour the dedication of the ships’ companies and the important role these vessels have played in operations at home and abroad.
On 29 September 2025, HMCS Whitehorse, Saskatoon and Brandon will be paid off in Esquimalt, while on 3 October 2025, HMCS Kingston, Glace Bay, Goose Bay, Shawinigan and Summerside will be paid off in Halifax. These ceremonies will recognize not only the ships themselves, but also the thousands of sailors who served in them, embodying the RCN’s tradition of excellence and service to Canada.
The remaining Kingston-class ships will sequentially be paid off as their Statements of Structural Integrity certifications expire. HMCS Yellowknife will do so upon its return from Operation Reassurance, followed by HMCS Edmonton next year. HMCS Nanaimo will follow, and the last of the class, HMCS Moncton, will serve for several more years before its final paying off.
Image: An image by the RCN accompanying the announcement of the MCDVs' paying-off. Credit: Royal Canadian Navy
