HMCS Ville de Québec to Seaway and Great Lakes

Official news release:

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Ville De Québec sailing to Québec and Ontario on Recruiting Mission
Maritime Forces Atlantic/Forces maritimes de l'Atlantique 56/09 - August 26, 2009

HALIFAX – HMCS Ville De Québec departed Halifax today, kicking off a six-week Canadian tour to include eleven port visits along the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes.

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Known as the Great Lakes Deployment (GLD), the main purpose of the trip is to raise awareness among Canadians of their Navy and the many career opportunities available for technicians. “Our goal is to bring the Navy to Canadians who might not otherwise know of its valuable contribution both at home and abroad,” said Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, Chief of Maritime Staff. “We want Canadians to see one of their ships and meet its sailors firsthand. We also have a team of recruiters onboard, and they will provide information about the fantastic jobs we have available for those interested in serving their country at sea.” [News story: "Canadian Navy seeks to overcome recruiting problem with PR blitz".]

Through its Special Education Program for Non-Commissioned Members, the Canadian Forces are currently offering those who qualify as potential naval technicians an opportunity to receive a subsidized college education in their occupation of choice while also receiving an income. They get paid to learn. The qualifying occupations include that of marine engineering mechanic, naval electronics technician (communications), naval electronics technicians (sonar), naval electronics technician (radar), and naval weapons technician.

“The Navy is committed to being a world-class employer and a compelling career option for Canadians coast to coast to coast,” Commander Luc Cassivi, Commanding Officer of HMCS Ville De Québec, said today. “The Great Lakes Deployment is the best way we have to bring the Navy to central Canada”.

Ville De Québec’s first port will be Gaspé, Québec from August 28th to the 31st. This stopover will feature a reenactment of the arrival of Jacques Cartier to commemorate the 475th anniversary of his first landing on the East Coast. As with all the port visits, the ship will fire its ceremonial gun upon entering the port, perform sunset ceremonies as well as other naval rituals, and conduct public tours. In addition, the Navy recruiting bus and recruiting displays will be set up. Following Gaspé, the ship will visit Toronto, where Ville de Québec will take part in the Canadian National Exhibition. The ship will then travel to Sarnia, Windsor, Oshawa, Montréal, Trois-Rivières, Québec, La Malbaie and Saguenay. The final port will be Matane on October 5th and 6th. A complete port schedule is available at www.forces.ca/experience/en/index.aspx.

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NOTE TO EDITORS:

For more information on this deployment, please contact the Navy Public Affairs Office in Halifax at (902) 427-3766. The Public Affairs Officer accompanying the ship is Lieutenant (Navy) Alain Blondin. Contact him by email at alain.blondin@forces.gc.ca . For further information on the subsidized education program for non-commissioned members please go to http://www.forces.ca/html/entryplans_en.aspx . For HMCS Ville de Québec’s website, go to http://www.navy.dnd.ca/villedequebec/0/0-s_eng.asp.

HMCS Charlottetown make a similar voyage in 2008, as did HMCS Halifax in 2007. A year ago the Ville de Québec was protecting from pirates off Somalia. The Charlottetown also had an eventual cruise in 2007-8.