Our Stories

By Bruce MacGregor

I grew up in Nova Scotia during a time of economic uncertainty. Traditional industries were declining, and opportunities in the Atlantic region were far fewer than they are today. That backdrop, along with a desire to serve, led me to a career in the Canadian Armed Forces. For nearly 23 years, I had the privilege of serving alongside extraordinary Canadians from every region, living predominantly in Alberta and Ontario, and working in almost every province. I also witnessed firsthand the impact of Canada’s military abroad, where our soldiers, sailors, and aviators stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.

By 2016, it was time for a change. My family and I returned to Nova Scotia, drawn by the opportunity to be part of something historic at Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI). The National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) was an ambitious, nation-defining initiative vital to the future of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). Joining ISI just after the keel was laid for HMCS Harry DeWolf, the first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS), I spent the next seven years in various roles across the build, testing, and delivery of these innovative ships. In 2023, I stepped into my current role, overseeing Engineering and Design for both the AOPS and River-class destroyer (RCD) programs.

The transformation I’ve witnessed at ISI since 2016 has been nothing short of remarkable. Restarting a modern shipbuilding industry in Canada required assembling a global team of experts to mentor and build a new generation of Canadian shipbuilders. Today, those early recruits—many of whom were apprentices in 2016—have become the backbone of ISI’s workforce, driving innovation and our culture of continuous improvement. The progress we’ve made is astounding, considering the challenges of restarting an entire industry in a modern facility with a brand-new design.

In 2024, we delivered HMCS Frédérick Rolette, the fifth AOPS, and launched the sixth, the future HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, which will complete the RCN’s AOPS order by next summer—marking the first NSS program to achieve full delivery. Two additional AOPS, redesigned for the Canadian Coast Guard, are also under construction, with delivery planned for 2026 and 2027.

Meanwhile, ISI is undergoing significant facility expansions to prepare for the build of the River-class destroyers, Canada’s next-generation combat ships. These state-of-the-art warships are far more complex than AOPS, and we’ve integrated this facility work carefully into our schedule to avoid disrupting the remaining AOPS builds. This year, we accelerated engineering, planning, and supply chain operations, nearing 80% completion of functional engineering work and contracting for over $1.2 billion in equipment and materials. In 2024, we also began work on a Production Test Module for the RCD, setting the stage for full-rate production in Q2 2025.

The NSS is delivering more than ships—it’s building sovereign capability. Every major maritime nation relies on domestic shipbuilding for its naval fleet, and Canada is no exception. Halifax has been at the heart of this resurgence, and the expertise we’ve built here in less than a decade is already world-class. This progress matters not just for today’s shipbuilders but for future generations. Keeping shipbuilding alive and thriving in Halifax is critical to ensuring Canada’s
naval and economic strength for decades to come.

We’ve come so far, but our journey is only beginning. Building the River-class destroyers will be a major milestone, solidifying Halifax’s place as a cornerstone of Canada’s shipbuilding industry. The young leaders and skilled workers we’ve nurtured are proof that this is an investment in our country’s future, and we’re ready to meet the challenges ahead. Atlantic Canadians have proven that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best shipbuilders in the world, delivering results for the RCN and the Canadian Coast Guard with pride, resilience, and innovation.

This has been a great year for Canadian shipbuilding. Next year will be better.

Bruce MacGregor is the Vice President of Engineering and Design at Irving Shipbuilding Inc. He is a former Lieutenant-Colonel in the Canadian Army and has worked in the Canadian Shipbuilding Industry for nearly a decade. Born and raised in Atlantic Canada, he is grateful for the opportunity to continue delivering for his country here at home. Bruce was recently featured on Defence Deconstructed, speaking about the launch of the last Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship and what it means for the larger National Shipbuilding Strategy.