US EditionNavy still struggling to fill recruitment gaps throughout the service: vice-admiral
Despite new programs and pay raises, the Royal Canadian Navy remains short by about 1,600 sailors, including 25% shortages in key technical roles, officials said.
- Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee said on September 21, 2025, in Ottawa that the Royal Canadian Navy still struggles with recruitment shortages across key roles.
- He explained the navy's personnel shortage deepened rapidly over the past decade, leaving the force about 1,600 sailors short of 17,100 needed.
- The navy faces particular gaps in marine technicians and information technology staff, with a shortage of marine technicians able to prevent ships from leaving harbour.
- Topshee highlighted the Naval Experience Program as the biggest recruitment success, with roughly 80% of participants staying in military trades and recruitment now achieving about 70% of targets for marine technicians.
- Although Topshee sees early signs of improvement and efforts like pay raises and outreach to school counsellors, he warned the next four to five years will be very challenging for recruitment.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Navy Still Struggling to Fill Recruitment Gaps Throughout the Service: Vice-Admiral
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee says the Royal Canadian Navy is “not out of the woods” yet on its recruitment crisis and the next four to five years are going to be “really hard.” It’s been two years since Topshee, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, posted a video online warning that recruitment was in a “critical state” and the service was facing “very serious challenges” that “could mean we fail to meet our force posture and readiness commitment…
The commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, recognizes that the force "has not yet come out of the woods" in terms of recruitment. The next four or five years will be "very difficult" to cross, he warned.
The Toronto Star
Navy still struggling to fill recruitment gaps throughout the service: vice-admiral
OTTAWA - Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee says the Royal Canadian Navy is “not out of the woods” yet on its recruitment crisis and the next four to five years are going
lesaffaires.com
canadafrancais.comSuch a lack of technicians can prevent a ship from leaving the port. The post The Canadian Navy struggles to achieve its recruitment goals appeared first on Les Affaires.
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