Navy Commander Angus Topshee Promoted to Vice Chief of Defence Staff

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

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.