Canadian Navy Struggling With Personnel ‘Crisis’: Commander

Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee speaks with a reporter during an interview at the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ont., on Sept. 21, 2022. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby

The Royal Canadian Navy is struggling with what its commander says is a personnel “crisis” as hundreds of positions sit vacant.

Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee says he needs nearly 1,400 sailors to reach full strength, which is about 17 percent of the navy’s total ranks.