LCdr Linda Coleman, MARPAC Public Affairs
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Rear-Admiral David Patchell hosted Premier David Eby at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt to showcase Canada’s West Coast naval hub.
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Discussions highlighted fleet readiness, submarine infrastructure plans, economic impact, and skilled trades growth.
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Leaders emphasized environmental stewardship and collaboration with Indigenous Nations in B.C.
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Rear-Admiral (RAdm) David Patchell, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific (MARPAC/JTFP), welcomed the Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt on Dec 11, 2025, for a first official visit highlighting the strategic, economic, and environmental importance of Canada’s West Coast naval hub. The Premier was accompanied by MLA Darlene Rotchford, Parliamentary Secretary for Armed Forces Development and Veteran’s Affairs.
“I was very pleased to welcome Premier Eby to Maritime Forces Pacific,” said RAdm Patchell. “This visit was an important opportunity to showcase the strategic significance of our West Coast naval hub, the work our sailors and civilians do every day, and the strong connection between the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Province of British Columbia.”
During the visit, Premier Eby was taken on a sail through Esquimalt Harbour aboard an Orca-class training vessel, where he received a comprehensive tour and briefing on the RCN’s assets and operations on the West Coast. Joining the sail were Base Commander Captain (Navy) (Capt(Navy)) Kevin Whiteside, Doug Young, King’s Harbour Master, and Mike Bodman, manager of Base Safety, Environment and Indigenous Relations. While underway, Premier Eby received an overview of CFB Esquimalt, the Dockyard, and harbour operations, emphasizing the base’s central role in training, readiness, and fleet support and maintenance. It was noted that Esquimalt is an exceptional location for training sailors and highlighted the critical importance of training vessels in meeting the RCN’s future personnel demands. It was emphasized to Premier Eby that the base is one of the region’s major employers, contributing significantly to the local economy and skilled workforce.
Looking to the future, RAdm Patchell pointed out the planned site of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) jetties and supporting infrastructure, outlining the long-term strategic implications for British Columbia and Canada’s maritime defence. Both RAdm Patchell and Premier Eby discussed the growing need for skilled tradespeople in British Columbia and the significant opportunities the province offers in this area.
Premier David Emy during a tour of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt on Dec 11, 2025. Photo: Sailor 1st Class (S1) Kyle Maguire, MARPAC Imaging
Environmental stewardship was another key theme of the visit. Bodman highlighted the harbour remediation work completed to date, while Capt(Navy) Whiteside spoke about the Navy’s close relationship with the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations in Esquimalt Harbour. He emphasized that this partnership is one of many valued relationships CFB Esquimalt maintains with coastal First Nations in B.C., whose communities and traditional territories include areas where the Base operates. Capt(Navy) Whiteside also underscored the importance of open dialogue and ongoing collaboration.
Reinforcing these efforts, RAdm Patchell noted the navy’s strong commitment to environmental responsibility. “We are a Navy that’s environmentally conscious,” he said. “We care about taking care of our pristine coastline as much as everyone else in the province.”
The visit marked a strong and constructive first engagement between RAdm Patchell and Premier Eby. Both leaders expressed optimism about continued collaboration, signaling the beginning of a strong connection focused on defence readiness, economic growth, environmental responsibility, and community well-being in British Columbia.
