Navy’s Vice‑Admiral Topshee Delivers Vic U Coxford Lecture

^{Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee delivers the annual Coxford Lecture at the Isabel Bader Theatre on Jan. 28, 2026. (Photo by Neil Gaikwad)}

By Leslie Shepherd 

Canada must strengthen its naval capabilities to meet emerging global challenges and safeguard the country’s extensive coastlines, the commander of the Royal Canadian Navy said in delivering the third annual Coxford Lecture at Victoria College. 

In a wide‑ranging address, Vice‑Admiral Angus Topshee described a world in transition, where geopolitical tensions are rising and Canada’s prosperity and security increasingly depend on a modern, well‑resourced naval force.  

“The rules-based order that we’ve come to count on isn’t the same any longer,” he told an audience of alumni, donors and Vic One students at the Isabel Bader Theatre on Jan. 28. 

The Coxford Lecture was made possible by a gift from alumnus Stephen Coxford Vic 7T4. The first two lectures were delivered by Mark Carney, before he became prime minister, and Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and journalist.  

Victoria University President Dr. Rhonda McEwen, an honorary captain in the Navy, said the lecture series reflects Victoria University’s commitment to “serious inquiry, leadership and to engaging directly with the forces shaping our world.” 

Topshee emphasized that Canada’s geography, long viewed as a protective buffer, no longer guarantees security against modern threats, pointing particularly to submarine‑launched missiles and to the difficulty of detecting submarines from both China and Russia in the Pacific.

“Oceans only protect you with navies that serve to defend them.” 
 
Central to his message was the link between maritime security and economic well‑being. With the world’s longest coastline and vital trade corridors running through the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans, and the Great Lakes, he underscored how deeply Canadian prosperity relies on protected sea lanes and port infrastructure from the Port of Vancouver to the St. Lawrence Seaway to Toronto’s working harbour.  

He noted the transformative role of container shipping and open seas in driving global prosperity over the last eight decades, and the responsibility that comes with protecting that system. That, he said, requires a strong Navy. 

Topshee highlighted the federal government’s planned investments in River‑class destroyers, Arctic and offshore patrol vessels, and improved surveillance tools, including equipment that can operate at sea without people on board. He also said the federal government was “moving fast” to acquire a new class of submarines, which he said were important because they can patrol underwater without being seen and can detect and deter other vessels from entering Canadian waters.  
 
He also noted that Canada works closely with Denmark and Greenland on northern security, pointing out that Nuuk—the only year‑round ice‑free port in the North American Arctic—plays a key role in supporting operations in the region. 
 
Topshee said the Navy is still short of sailors but is rebuilding its ranks through the Naval Reserve and new one‑year entry programs that train people closer to home. “We can be strong again,” he said. 

Topshee returned repeatedly to the theme of readiness amid uncertainty. “It is a difficult, dangerous time,” he said. “We hope that our services as maritime warriors are never going to be required in active combat.” 

At the same time, he reaffirmed that the Navy is oriented to act if called upon. “But if they are, we’ll be ready.” 
 

If you would like access to the video stream of the Coxford Lecture, please contact Helena Herscovici.