HMCS Ville de Québec Departs for Great Lakes Deployment

HMCS Ville de Québec departed Halifax July 23 for a 10-week tour of 14 Canadian and American cities along the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes.

“This is a golden opportunity for thousands of Canadians in Ontario and Quebec to tour our warships and to speak with our sailors about the important role they play in our nation’s security,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “This year we will also commemorate the War of 1812 and celebrate 200 years of peace and prosperity between our nation and our closest ally, the United States of America. The events of that historic conflict so long ago serve to remind us all that the link between sea power and our nation’s security and prosperity is as relevant today than ever before.”

“This deployment allows our sailors to interact with Canadians who are not regularly exposed to the Royal Canadian Navy, and I know that the public will be extremely proud and impressed by the dedication and professionalism of our people,” said Vice-Admiral Paul Maddison, Commander Royal Canadian Navy.

The purpose of the deployment is to inform Canadians about how the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) contributes to the protection and security of our maritime approaches by exercising Canadian sovereignty over our waters, including working with other government departments to protect offshore natural resources. Internationally, the RCN contributes to global peace and security, vital to Canadian interests around the world.

This is also an occasion to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the role that conflict played in shaping our national identity and ultimately our existence as a country. The War of 1812 commemoration is an extremely important event for Canada and will help build national awareness and pride about a significant historical milestone that laid the foundation for Confederation and the cornerstones of our political institutions.

HMCS Ville de Québec will sail from Halifax through the St. Lawrence Seaway and into the Great Lakes starting on July 23 and returning to Halifax on October 9. Halifax-based maritime coastal defence vessels, HMC Ships Moncton and Summerside, will participate later on during the deployment as well.

HMCS Ville de Québec will visit the following cities during the deployment:

– Québec City, Quebec, July 26 – 30;
– Montréal, Quebec, July 30 – August 3;
– Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 8 – 13;
– Thunder Bay, Ontario, August 15 – 20;
– Toledo, Ohio, August 23 – 27;
– Toronto, Ontario, August 29 – September 3;
– Windsor, Ontario, September 5 – 10;
– Buffalo, New York, September 11 – 17;
– Hamilton, Ontario, September 18 – 21;
– Oshawa, Ontario, September 21 – 24;
– Cornwall, Ontario, September 25 – 27;
– Trois-Rivières, Québec, September 28 – October 1;
– Sept-Îles, Québec, October 2 – 5; and
– Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 9.

HMC Ships Moncton and Summerside will visit the following cities during the deployment:

– Chicago, Illinois, August 15 – 20; and
– Cleveland, Ohio, August 28 – September 2.

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Naval Today Staff, July 26, 2012