Key Points – Canada, once possessing the world’s third-largest navy during World War II, operated aircraft carriers as part of its post-war NATO and Commonwealth commitments.
-Its last carrier, HMCS Bonaventure (affectionately “Bonny”), an ex-British Majestic-class vessel, served primarily in anti-submarine warfare roles against Soviet threats and supported UN peacekeeping missions.
-Upgraded with an angled deck and steam catapult, the Bonaventure nonetheless faced challenges due to its smaller size relative to modern jets.
-Ultimately, rising operational costs, the complexities of operating jets from a smaller carrier, and a strategic shift under the Pierre Trudeau government led to its decommissioning in 1970.
The Story Behind the Now-Gone Canadian Aircraft Carriers
During World War II, the Royal Canadian Navy was the third-largest in the world. Along with the other branches of His Majesty’s Canadian armed forces, the big country to the north of the US is one of the unsung heroes of the Allied victory.
Much honor is due to the British Army, the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Navy. Still, in many respects, Canada was essential to the survival of our English cousins, particularly in the early years of the war.
During the conflict, Canada’s naval force numbered 434 ships manned by some 95,000 personnel. Today, those numbers are about one-tenth of that wartime personnel force level and a few dozen ships.
Once the war was over and the NATO alliance was formed, Canada became one of the leading members and also part of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance among the Anglosphere nations, which also includes the US, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
In keeping with its one-time outsized naval capacity, Canada continued to operate a sizeable fleet. That also included aircraft carriers, although Canada is not a nation committed to the kind of power projection defense doctrine that mandates the operation of carrier task forces.
The Last RCN Aircraft Carrier
Today, the Canadian Navy does not have any aircraft carriers, but that was not always the case. HMCS Bonaventure was Canada’s last aircraft carrier before it was decommissioned in 1970.
The “Bonny,” as it was affectionately known, had undertaken numerous roles during its service. It had been a platform for anti-submarine warfare aircraft, participating in multiple NATO exercises and operations. It had transported Canadian soldiers and supplies used to set up the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus in 1964.
The crew numbered up to 1,200, and the ship was not only a large fighting force but also one of the most prominent ambassadors of goodwill ever afloat. In the 1960s, the vessel hosted numerous events for disadvantaged children during port visits in the Caribbean and Europe.
The experience of Canada’s navy during and after World War II demonstrated the value of carriers for anti-submarine operations. During the period of the 1950s, Soviet submarines presented the biggest threat to Canadian sovereignty.
In taking on the carrier, Canada was also doing its part as a member of the Commonwealth. By purchasing the ship from the UK, Ottawa was attempting to resuscitate Britain’s sagging post-war economy.
The last Canadian carrier also underwent upgrades to accommodate the operation of more modern aircraft, thereby maintaining interoperability with the rest of NATO. This included retrofitting a steam catapult onto the ship to generate the take-off speeds needed for more modern jet aircraft to get airborne.
Bonaventure was also constructed with an angled deck to help aircraft gain lift during launch and was equipped with six arresting cables for carrier aircraft landings. However, the carrier was 30 percent shorter than her US counterparts, which would eventually cause problems for operations as the weight, size, and take-off speeds for modern carrier aircraft increased.
What Caused the Downfall of Canadian Carrier Aviation?
Canada eventually had to divest itself of its aircraft carrier due to the same set of pressures that have affected almost all post-war military establishments. These were primarily steeply rising costs for both personnel and day-to-day operations, as well as the expense of incorporating new technological advancements in the form of equipment upgrades and the shift in Canada’s strategic posture during the ongoing Cold War.
The Bonaventure was finally decommissioned in 1970—just after having completed a major mid-life upgrade—and was scrapped the following year. This was not because the requirement for anti-submarine warfare assets had diminished but rather a budgetary measure taken by the Pierre Trudeau government.
It was decided to end the carrier program due to growing costs and the complications of operating jet aircraft on smaller carriers. Given the problems of the day and the heightening international tensions due to the Vietnam War, Canada’s government also concluded that its military should focus less on a hard power foreign policy projection presence and more on winning the hearts and minds.
About the Author:
Reuben F. Johnson is a survivor of the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and is an Expert on Foreign Military Affairs with the Fundacja im. Kazimierza Pułaskiego in Warsaw. He has been a consultant to the Pentagon, several NATO governments and the Australian government in the fields of defense technology and weapon systems design. Over the past 30 years he has resided in and reported from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Brazil, the People’s Republic of China and Australia.
