The Royal Canadian Navy is the naval force of Canada. The navy is one of three environmental commands within the Canadian Armed Forces. As of February 2024, the RCN operates 12 Halifax-class frigates, 12 Kingston-class coastal defence vessels, 4 Victoria-class submarines, 4 Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessels, 8 Orca-class patrol vessels, and several auxiliary vessels. The RCN consists of 8,400 Regular Force and 4,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by 3,800 civilians. Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee is the commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and chief of the Naval Staff.
Admiral John Rogers Anderson, is a retired Canadian Forces officer, former Canadian diplomat and civil servant.
Vice-Admiral Joseph Alphonse Denis Rouleau is a retired officer who served in the Royal Canadian Navy.
Vice-Admiral Philip Dean McFadden, CMM, CD is a retired officer of the Canadian Forces. He was chief of the Maritime Staff from 2009 to 2011 and last to hold the post before it was renamed to commander of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Vice-Admiral Glenn Victor Davidson is a retired senior naval officer who served in the Canadian Forces.
The Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy is the institutional head of the Royal Canadian Navy. This appointment also includes the title Chief of the Naval Staff and is based at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. This individual reports to the Chief of the Defence Staff, who then responds to the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Vice-Admiral (Ret'd) Mark A. G. Norman, is a retired Royal Canadian Navy officer. He took up the post of Vice Chief of the Defence Staff of Canada on August 5, 2016. He was temporarily relieved of the post on January 16, 2017, and was permanently removed on June 27, 2018, accused of having released sensitive government information to affect a procurement of naval supply ships, which potentially constituted a breach of trust. In 2019, charges against him were dropped by the Crown because there was "no reasonable prospect of conviction." Norman subsequently received an "all-party" apology from the House of Commons, a settlement of claims, and full reimbursement of legal fees incurred by him.
Vice-Admiral Gregory Ralph Maddison CMM, MSC, CD is a retired officer of the Canadian Forces. He was Chief of the Maritime Staff from 24 September 1997 to 21 June 2001.
Vice-Admiral Gary Leslie Garnett CMM, CD is a retired officer of the Canadian Forces. He was Chief of the Maritime Staff from 9 January to 24 September 1997.
Vice-Admiral Lynn Gordon Mason CMM, CD is a retired officer of the Canadian Forces. He was Commander Maritime Command from 27 June 1995 to 9 January 1997.
Vice-Admiral Peter William Cairns was an officer of the Canadian Armed Forces. He was Commander Maritime Command from 14 July 1992 to 28 July 1994.
Vice Admiral James Andrew Fulton CMM, CD was a Canadian Forces officer who served as Commander Maritime Command from 6 August 1980 to 29 July 1983.
Vice Admiral John Allan CMM CD was a Canadian Forces officer who served as Commander of Maritime Command from 1 July 1979 to 6 August 1980.
Vice Admiral Andrew Laurence Collier was a Canadian Forces officer who served as Commander Maritime Command from 14 June 1977 to 30 June 1979.
Vice Admiral Douglas Seaman Boyle CMM, CD was a Canadian Forces officer who served as Commander of Maritime Command from 21 August 1973 to 14 June 1977.
Vice-Admiral Maurice Frank Ronald "Ron" Lloyd is a retired Royal Canadian Navy officer who became the 35th Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy on 23 June 2016.
Rear-Admiral Joseph Pierre Gilles Couturier is a Royal Canadian Navy officer.
Vice-Admiral Craig Alan Baines is a retired senior Royal Canadian Navy officer who served as Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy from 2021 to 2022.
Admiral Arthur Gerard McDonald is a Royal Canadian Navy admiral who served as Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces from January 14, 2021, until February 24, 2021, when he voluntarily stepped aside due to an investigation by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service. On November 25, 2021, McDonald was formally relieved of his command, and replaced permanently by General Wayne Eyre who had held the post during the interim.
Brian Walter Natale Santarpia is a retired Canadian naval officer and former Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic. He served in the Canadian Forces from 1986 to 2023.
