Thank you for this. This is really excellent content that virtually no other outlet in Canada can do. Getting an interview with the Admiral, no doubt lots of journalists can do that. But bringing the expertise to ask the right questions that really informs the listener on this topic, well I haven’t seen that anywhere else in Canadian journalism.
The Line delivers value far beyond it's cost! Great get. Dude's got a handle on stuff.
I was a naval cadet in Winnipeg as a kid (ridiculous, but the heart wants...); the dream of going to sea never left me.
Surprised and glad to learn the CCG (Coast Guard) is under DND now, and wondering when that happened. By virtue of the work, and much fewer numbers, CCG crew are very, very skilled. As example, the navy will tie up a ship once in... a week? CCG ships often tie up more than once a day and the difference is obvious. A navy ship is tied up with bullhorns and consecutive instructions. A CCG ship is usually tied up silently, by 4 -5 people.
I've noticed the expansion of ship building capability over the last 10 years here on the west coast, actually quite dramatic. The skill set and facilities attract lots of non-DND work.
What a great interview. Admiral Topshee sure knows his files, and explains them in such an engaging and enthusiastic manner. Wish I was younger to get back in.
Interesting interview, I'd like to know more about icebreakers and their role in the artic with the millitary. looking at Wikipedia I was surprised to see we actually have a bunch of ice breakers all under the coast guard. Is the plan to pair an icebreaker with a combat ship for use up there? I'd suggest that nuclear powered boats would solve the range problem we have but I'm not sure I'd enjoy paying 50billion per ship or whatever ridiculous number it turns out being.
Thank you for an informative and interesting interview. I feel much more encouraged about the state of Canada's military having heard from the Vice-Admiral.
Thanks for the enjoyable and encouraging interview. I suspect recruitment is still an area that requires more attention: my daughter started the process of joining the Navy Reserve in August. At the start, they thought she'd be inducted by December and set to do her basic training this summer after completing Grade 12. Instead, it's February, and still waiting to finish up things like security clearance and medical.
That's OK - she's keen and still committed to joining, but I think the Navy needs to aim for something more like 4-6 weeks to get to a yes or no on hiring a potential recruit if they want to be competitive with how employers in the private sector work. Even if there's a delay of several months before starting training, at least then people have certainty and can plan their lives around it.
Very good interview. I didn't know the number of Canadians killed in the waters of the St Lawrence matched with fatalities at Juno beach. From my time as a recruit, I know how important are the future plans and commitments to attracting and keeping capable personnel in every branch. This is a good time for young Canadians to see military service as an unfolding opportunity at least equivalent to the private sector (and I think substantially more important and more highly valued) and I think the new recruitment process significantly improves incremental exposure. Well done. Very worthwhile.
Nice interview. The idea of adjusting your mindset just by having your maps centered on the pacific... interesting.
Just a little disappointed that you didn't take the opportunity to give him a little friendly ribbing about that video they posted on X with all the dubious firearms handling (https://x.com/RoyalCanNavy/status/1425253882830196748)
Good Work Matt, That was an interesting and timely interview. I like Vice Admiral Topshee's leadership style.
Excellent range of questions, and clear / direct answers from the Admiral. BZ
Thank you for this. This is really excellent content that virtually no other outlet in Canada can do. Getting an interview with the Admiral, no doubt lots of journalists can do that. But bringing the expertise to ask the right questions that really informs the listener on this topic, well I haven’t seen that anywhere else in Canadian journalism.
Well, I feel much better about the navy now. Thank you.
The Line delivers value far beyond it's cost! Great get. Dude's got a handle on stuff.
I was a naval cadet in Winnipeg as a kid (ridiculous, but the heart wants...); the dream of going to sea never left me.
Surprised and glad to learn the CCG (Coast Guard) is under DND now, and wondering when that happened. By virtue of the work, and much fewer numbers, CCG crew are very, very skilled. As example, the navy will tie up a ship once in... a week? CCG ships often tie up more than once a day and the difference is obvious. A navy ship is tied up with bullhorns and consecutive instructions. A CCG ship is usually tied up silently, by 4 -5 people.
I've noticed the expansion of ship building capability over the last 10 years here on the west coast, actually quite dramatic. The skill set and facilities attract lots of non-DND work.
What a great interview. Admiral Topshee sure knows his files, and explains them in such an engaging and enthusiastic manner. Wish I was younger to get back in.
Interesting interview, I'd like to know more about icebreakers and their role in the artic with the millitary. looking at Wikipedia I was surprised to see we actually have a bunch of ice breakers all under the coast guard. Is the plan to pair an icebreaker with a combat ship for use up there? I'd suggest that nuclear powered boats would solve the range problem we have but I'm not sure I'd enjoy paying 50billion per ship or whatever ridiculous number it turns out being.
Thank you for an informative and interesting interview. I feel much more encouraged about the state of Canada's military having heard from the Vice-Admiral.
I enjoyed this interview. Vice Admiral Topshee recommended Pirate of the Adriatic
by Sean E. Livingston. I would love to hear Matt's recommended reading.
Just finished Pirate of the Adriatic. Could see that as potential movie material..
Fascinating podcast with a thoughtful and articulate guest (and host, of course).
If only our political class were of the same quality.
Thanks for the enjoyable and encouraging interview. I suspect recruitment is still an area that requires more attention: my daughter started the process of joining the Navy Reserve in August. At the start, they thought she'd be inducted by December and set to do her basic training this summer after completing Grade 12. Instead, it's February, and still waiting to finish up things like security clearance and medical.
That's OK - she's keen and still committed to joining, but I think the Navy needs to aim for something more like 4-6 weeks to get to a yes or no on hiring a potential recruit if they want to be competitive with how employers in the private sector work. Even if there's a delay of several months before starting training, at least then people have certainty and can plan their lives around it.
BZ on the interview Matt.
Very good interview. I didn't know the number of Canadians killed in the waters of the St Lawrence matched with fatalities at Juno beach. From my time as a recruit, I know how important are the future plans and commitments to attracting and keeping capable personnel in every branch. This is a good time for young Canadians to see military service as an unfolding opportunity at least equivalent to the private sector (and I think substantially more important and more highly valued) and I think the new recruitment process significantly improves incremental exposure. Well done. Very worthwhile.
Nice interview. The idea of adjusting your mindset just by having your maps centered on the pacific... interesting.
Just a little disappointed that you didn't take the opportunity to give him a little friendly ribbing about that video they posted on X with all the dubious firearms handling (https://x.com/RoyalCanNavy/status/1425253882830196748)