HMCS Ville de Québec departs for Operation HORIZON

From: National Defence

News release

April 07, 2025 – Halifax, N.S. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, the crew of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Québec have bid farewell to their families and loved ones at a departure ceremony held at His Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard Halifax in Nova Scotia.

HMCS Ville de Québec will sail tens of thousands of kilometers while deployed on Operation HORIZON, Canada’s forward-presence mission to the Indo-Pacific region to promote peace, stability, and the rules-based international order.  

The ship will also join the United Kingdom’s (UK) multinational Carrier Strike Group (CSG) off the coasts of Europe and proceed to the Indo-Pacific region. The UK CSG will bring together like-minded partners from around the globe in a demonstration of military interoperability in support of European security and a free and open Indo-Pacific. The complex security environment in the Indo-Pacific, with linkages to Arctic and Euro-Atlantic security, demands that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) remain an active and reliable partner that contributes to peace and security in the region.

Operation HORIZON demonstrates the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) ability to sustain naval operations in the Indo-Pacific. Canada’s commitment to global collaboration and broader diplomatic and military partnerships is strengthened by working alongside international allies and like-minded partners.  

Quotes

“This deployment further demonstrates the Canadian Armed Forces’ commitment to international peace and security efforts through operational excellence. Our ability to integrate seamlessly with our allies makes us a valued partner in maintaining global stability.”

- Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command

“The crew of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Ville de Québec is highly trained and ready to face any challenge. Integrating into this Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group strengthens our strategic partnerships and demonstrates our unwavering commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.”

- Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander RCN

“The departure of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Ville de Québec represents the culmination of thousands of hours of effort and dedication from the ship’s company and supporting staff ashore. This deployment through Europe to the Indo-Pacific region will see the ship and its crew sail with our UK allies and work alongside Indo-Pacific partners, developing necessary global relationships and furthering Canada’s international interests. I know the ship is more than ready to rise to the challenge ahead. Fair winds and following seas Ville de Québec, and a safe and successful deployment.”

- Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic

“For those serving in His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Ville de Québec, today’s departure has been well over a year in the making. The crew has worked incredibly hard to get the ship ready for Operation HORIZON, and to represent Canada and the Royal Canadian Navy globally—with some of the absolute finest people Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces has to offer. This incredible deployment would not be possible without the tremendous support of our families, the determination of the organizations ashore, and the resolve of the entire Royal Canadian Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. Without them, we would not have been able to get to where we are today.”  

- Commander Peter MacNeil, Commanding Officer HMCS Ville de Québec

Quick facts

  • Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy represents a comprehensive and integrated framework for increased Canadian engagement across the Indo-Pacific region. Canada will continue to work alongside allies and partners in the region to promote a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Operation HORIZON is the military mission implementing the defence elements of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, by deploying more military forces to the region, participating in more multilateral exercises, and strengthening military-to-military cooperation.

  • HMCS Ville de Québec will integrate into several phases of the United Kingdom’s upcoming CSG deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. This naval taskforce, centred on a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, is equipped with cutting-edge air, surface and underwater capabilities, and will increase interoperability across Allied navies operating across the Indo-Pacific.

  • HMCS Ville de Québec, a Halifax-class Canadian Patrol Frigate, has a crew of approximately 240 members comprising RCN sailors and Royal Canadian Air Force aviators to fly and support the ship’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter.

  • HMCS Ville de Québec will sail with innovative digital technology to improve coordination with our allies. This development is part of the CAF's efforts to develop advanced, comprehensive command and control systems that enhance data-driven decision-making and operational actions.

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Contacts

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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