Navy Commander Angus Topshee promoted to vice chief of defence staff

Advertisement

Advertise with us

OTTAWA - Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, the head of the Royal Canadian Navy, is being promoted to second-in-command of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $1.44 a week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $5.77 plus GST every four weeks. After 52 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

OTTAWA – Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, the head of the Royal Canadian Navy, is being promoted to second-in-command of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Department of National Defence confirms Topshee is replacing the retiring Lt.-Gen. Stephen Kelsey as vice-chief of the defence staff.

Rear-Admiral Dan Charlebois is being promoted to the rank of vice-admiral and will assume command of the Navy.

Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee speaks during the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence in Ottawa, on Thursday, March 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee speaks during the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence in Ottawa, on Thursday, March 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

The National Post first reported the news Tuesday evening after the appointments were circulated to defence staff in an internal communique.

Topshee has gained a reputation as a strikingly frank communicator within the top ranks of the military — particularly when it comes to how the military’s recruitment and retention crisis is affecting the Navy.

His appointment had been rumoured for months within the defence community.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 13, 2026.

Report Error Submit a Tip

Canada

LOAD CANADA ARTICLES