Canadian navy in critical state, could fail to meet readiness commitments: commander

OTTAWA — The commander of Canada’s navy says the force is in a “critical state,” with many occupations at or below 80 per cent of their normal staffing.

In a video posted to the navy’s YouTube page, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee says that could mean the navy does not meet its readiness commitments next year and beyond.

Topshee says the West Coast fleet is suffering because there’s a lack of qualified people to maintain and operate the ships, and the navy can sail only one of its new Arctic and offshore patrol vessels at a time.

He also says the air force and army are in similar situations because the Armed Forces recruitment wing has failed to meet its targets for over 10 years.