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
Navy Commander Angus Topshee promoted to vice chief of defence staff
May 13, 2026 | 9:12 AM
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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.
The National Post first reported the news Tuesday evening after the appointments were circulated to defence staff in an internal communique.
