Minister of National Defence Connects with Defence Community of CFB Esquimalt

LCdr Linda Coleman, MARPAC Public Affairs, with contributions from Lindsay Groves, Lookout Newspaper

Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt was buzzing with energy on Feb 19 as the Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty arrived for a full day of engagement with the Defence team. From early‑morning conversations with Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) sailors to hands‑on tours of key operational facilities, the visit underscored a moment of major renewal for Canada’s navy and the people who serve it.

The day started with a town hall at the Colwood Pacific Activity Centre – Esquimalt (CPAC) to connect with members and families from His Majesty’s Canadian (HMC) Ships Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary and Regina.

“We asked Canadians: What should we do with our Armed Forces? They told us, invest in them,” said the Minister. “Yes, you’ll hear about big procurements, billions of dollars in acquisitions, but we also need to invest in you, because we can’t do this without you… I am focused on your quality of life.” The Minister spoke about the changes he wants to see in the years ahead. While acknowledging the scale of the transformation, he noted, “it’s a complicated structure” and asked members to “be patient with us” as it will be a “big turnaround.” “But here’s the best news,” Minister McGuinty added. “I couldn’t believe how easy it is to implement and execute change because of you. Members are trained to execute.”

The Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence (MND) speaking during a town hall for members of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) at the Colwood Pacific Activity Centre on Feb 19. Photo: Sailor 1st Class (S1) Jordan Schilstra, MARPAC Imaging

Questions from the audience to the Minister included military housing concerns, daycare challenges, retention incentives, and competitive mortgage rates for members. The Minister also met with the counselling team at the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (EMFRC).

“[He] took a great interest in quality-of-life issues impacting military families,” said Jackie Carlé, Executive Director of EMFRC. “We had a frank and open exchange of ideas.”

Minister McGuinty’s next stop that day was Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU(P)), where he was introduced to the breadth of work carried out by the RCN’s clearance divers. Far from being solely about diving, the Minister learned about the unit’s full spectrum of responsibilities, ranging from explosive ordnance disposal to underwater engineering tasks, and had the opportunity to see their specialized equipment up close.

The visit highlighted the technical expertise, precision, and adaptability required of clearance divers, reinforcing their vital role in naval operations. An Orca‑class patrol craft then brought the Minister on a tour of Esquimalt Harbour, guided by the King’s Harbour Master (KHM), Mr. Doug Young, and the Commander Royal Canadian Navy (CRCN), Vice-Admiral (VAdm) Angus Topshee.

Together, they outlined the extensive recapitalization projects underway across the harbour. The briefings showcased major infrastructure renewal efforts; the future locations for Canada’s new submarine fleet; ongoing harbour remediation projects aimed at improving environmental sustainability; and key capital projects supporting fleet modernization and long‑term naval readiness. Throughout the tour, the Minister demonstrated a keen interest, asking detailed questions about upcoming capabilities, project timelines, and the strategic importance of MARPAC’s evolving infrastructure.

Minister McGuinty then connected with Fleet Maintenance Facility (FMF) Cape Breton, where he toured the workshops and production floors, meeting with both civilian and military personnel responsible for sustaining the fleet. The Minister spent meaningful time speaking with employees across trades and departments, expressing sincere appreciation for their expertise and professionalism. In conversations with FMF staff, he emphasized that Canada is stepping into a new era of defence investment, one that requires strengthening alliances, diversifying international partnerships, and bolstering domestic industrial capacity.

He reminded workers that:“What you’re doing is part of a much larger initiative — bigger in purpose than just going to work and paying your taxes. You’re at the front lines of our security. We can’t do this without you,” said Minister McGuinty. The Minister underscored that defence is now one of Canada’s top three economic sectors and noted that CAF/DND is the fifth‑largest investor in British Columbia, making the work being done at FMF central not only to national security but also to the province’s economic health.

Throughout the day, Minister McGuinty’s engagement, curiosity, and respect for the Defence Team were unmistakable. His visit reinforced both the strategic importance of Canada’s Pacific Fleet and the essential contributions of the uniformed and civilian professionals who sustain Canada’s Pacific naval readiness. The tour concluded with a renewed sense of momentum, reflecting a Defence Team that is modernizing, expanding, and preparing to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex security environment.