HMCS Haida officially designated as the flagship of the Royal Canadian Navy

From: Parks Canada

News release

“Fightingest ship” of the Navy celebrates 75th anniversary of her commissioning in 2018


May 26, 2018                              Hamilton, Ontario                     Parks Canada Agency

Parks Canada’s national historic sites reflect the rich and varied heritage of our nation and provide an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history.

Today, Bob Bratina, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, participated in a ceremony to designate HMCS Haida as the flagship of the Royal Canadian Navy to honour the courageous spirit of this legendary vessel and all those who served for the cause of freedom.

Through this ceremonial designation, HMCS Haida will fly the Canadian Naval Ensign and observe traditional sunrise and sunset ceremonies during its operating season from May to October. There will also be a Honourary Commanding Officer appointed to the vessel. 

The ceremony is part of a two-day community event co-hosted by the Royal Canadian Navy and Parks Canada, in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, the Oshawa Military and Industrial Museum, and the City of Hamilton. It included a military band, raising of colours, the firing of a naval cannon, the ringing of the ship’s bell, and a fly-by with a vintage aircraft. In the evening of May 26th, a traditional sunset ceremony will be held followed by HMCS Haida’s transformation into an illuminated living memorial in remembrance of the fallen of the battles of the Atlantic and the St. Lawrence. 

During the Second World War, HMCS Haida joined the Arctic convoys, escorting merchant ships on the Murmansk Run to Russia. The vessel patrolled the English Channel as part of preparations for D-Day and played an active role in the Allied invasion of Normandy. HMCS Haida subsequently served in the Korean War and the Cold War before being retired from active service in 1963, earning the moniker “fightingest ship” of the Royal Canadian Navy.

This year marks HMCS Haida’s 75th anniversary of first entering into service. The last remaining Second World War Tribal-class Destroyer in the world, the vessel was among the fastest and most powerful of its kind at that time.

During the Canada 150 celebrations last year, millions of Canadians had amazing experiences at Parks Canada’s places across the country. Building on this success, the Government of Canada is celebrating families and the importance of protected areas this year with free admission for youth 17 and under, and for new Canadian citizens to all national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas, starting in 2018 and beyond.  

Quotes

“Parks Canada’s national historic sites reflect the rich and varied heritage of our nation and provide an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history. The Government of Canada deeply appreciates the service and sacrifice of those who serve, and have served, in Canada’s armed forces during armed conflict and in times of peace. HMCS Haida’s ceremonial commissioning as the flagship of the Royal Canadian Navy is an opportune moment to pause and reflect on the contributions made by our veterans for the cause of freedom. This moment is particularly fitting, as the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets are celebrating their centennial this year.”


Mr. Bob Bratina,
Member of Parliament for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek

“This is a tremendous day for both the Royal Canadian Navy and for Parks Canada. HMCS Haida exemplifies the values of our naval personnel in uniform – service above self; courage in the face of immense danger; indomitable spirit; and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As Flagship of the RCN, Haida now stands as a permanent reminder of the sacrifice and courage of Canada’s sailors, so that future generations of Canadians and sailors can be inspired by its story and the proud traditions of our Royal Canadian Navy.”


Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd,
Commander Royal Canadian Navy

Quick facts

  • As a veteran of the battles of the Atlantic, the Normandy Invasion and the English Channel (where her sister ship HMCS Athabaskan was sunk with heavy loss of life in April 1944 while they were on patrol together), HMCS Haida sunk more enemy surface tonnage than any other ship of the Royal Canadian Navy.

  • HMCS Haida’s first Commanding Officer was Harry DeWolf, who later became Vice-Admiral and Chief of the Naval Staff in 1956, retiring in 1960. The Royal Canadian Navy recently announced that the new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels will be named the Harry DeWolf Class, with the first of these ships being named HMCS Harry DeWolf.

  • After the war, HMCS Haida served two tours of duty in Korea (1950-53) where, on January 29th, 1953, she joined the “Trainbusters Club.” Following her operations in the Korean War, HMCS Haida participated in a variety of training and goodwill missions.

  • Through the determination of private citizens, Canada’s “Fightingest Ship” was preserved in 1963. Moored in Hamilton, Ontario, HMCS Haida is a National Historic Site managed by Parks Canada, welcoming visitors to learn about this country’s remarkable naval history.

  • More than 13,000 Canadians provide feedback through the Minister’s Round Table, Let’s Talk Parks, Canada!. Minister McKenna has identified three priories for Parks Canada: to Protect and Restore our national parks and historic sites; to enable people to further Discover and Connect with our national parks and heritage; and to Sustain for generations to come the incredible value – both ecological and economic – that our national parks and historic sites provide for communities. 

  • To celebrate diversity in 2018, the Government of Canada is also offering free admission to new Canadian citizens for one year with the Cultural Access Pass. Through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship's Cultural Access Pass program, new citizens will enjoy free admission to Parks Canada’s locations across the country.

  • The 2018 Parks Canada Discovery Pass is now on sale and is a great value, providing access to these national treasures all year long. The Parks Canada Discovery Pass is the ideal way to discover nature and connect with Canada’s history. For information on purchasing the 2018 Parks Canada Discovery Pass, please visit the Parks Canada website.

  • For the 2018 visitor season, Parks Canada has launched version 2.0 of the Parks Canada Mobile App. The App helps visitors plan their trip and offers fun and interactive content. New features will help visitors make the most of their Parks Canada experiences, including downloadable trail maps and a new feature that allows visitors to create their own itineraries based on travel dates and events happening at Parks Canada places.

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Contacts

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca   


Public Affairs
Royal Canadian Navy
navypublicaffairs@forces.gc.ca  


Media Relations
National Defence
613-996-2353
mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca                                

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