Canadian Coast Guard College at 60
The Canadian Coast Guard College was founded in 1965. It was the beginning of a proud legacy that has spanned 60 years and is set to continue for decades to come.
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Our history
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re reflecting on the College’s rich history and its enduring impact.
The Canadian Coast Guard College is a world-class maritime training facility. It’s located in Nova Scotia, on Cape Breton Island, in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw People.
From 1965 to today, the College has changed and grown significantly. In the 1970s, the College welcomed women for the first time. From the 1980s to the 2000s, the College offered training for students from Commonwealth Caribbean nations, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. And in the 2010s, the College hosted partners at an international coast guard forum.
Canadian Coast Guard College timeline
1964
Minister of Transport J.W. Pickersgill announces the government’s plan to establish an officer training college for the Canadian Coast Guard.
1965
The Canadian Coast Guard College officially opens on the former Point Edward Naval Base. It offers Marine Engineering and Navigation Officer training programs to post-secondary students.
1969
The first class graduates from the College, with 19 officers joining the fleet.
1973
The Canadian Coast Guard College welcomes women into the Officer Training Program.
1977
Rita Simek, Barbara Gibson, Linda Fudge, and Fern Walker become the first women to graduate from the College and serve on Canadian Coast Guard vessels across Canada.
1978
Mia Hicks graduates from the College and becomes Canada’s first woman marine engineer. She later became the first woman Chief Engineer in the Canadian Coast Guard fleet.
1981
The Canadian Coast Guard College moves to its current Westmount location.
1985
Canadian Coast Guard College graduate Miriam Van Roosmalen becomes the Canadian Coast Guard’s first woman Commanding Officer, captaining the CCGS Kenoki.
“My experience at the Canadian Coast Guard College was extraordinary as I was an officer cadet of the ‘old school’ which was only a three-year program at that time. Getting to know so many other officer cadets from across this great country of ours was a particular bonus. It wasn't an easy place to be, but by golly, it was interesting! So interesting that I made a career of it and stayed on for a total of 42 years.”
— Miriam Van Roosmalen, Alumni, Canadian Coast Guard College Class of 1979
1986
The Canadian Coast Guard College completes construction on a new:
- boat house
- boat storage area
- marine training pavilion
1987
The College hosts part of the Canada Winter Games, which were held across Cape Breton County from February 14 to 28.
1988
The marine engineering training building opens.
1995
The Canadian Coast Guard College partners with Cape Breton University to offer a Bachelor of Technology in Nautical Science as part of the Officer Training Program.
1997
The Canadian Coast Guard College begins the Marine Communications and Traffic Services training program.
“At the Canadian Coast Guard College, I discovered a career in Marine Communication Traffic Services that gives me passion and inspires my hopes. I made connections with students, instructors and staff from all over the country that will last a lifetime.”
— Kyle Hickey, Marine Communications and Traffic Services training program Class of 2023
2000
Marine Maintenance and Equipment training starts at the College, now known as Electronics and Informatics Technical Training.
2003
The first officers from United Arab Emirates, Majed Al Kaz and Saleh Hemiary, graduate from the Officer Training Program.
2014
The College hosts coast guard partners for the annual North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum experts meeting. This is the first time since the Forum’s launch in 2007 that Canada has hosted the international conference.
2022
The Canadian Coast Guard College acquires a state-of-the-art Wärtsilä training engine. It’s the first of its kind in Canada.
2023
The John Adams Library undergoes major renovations.
2024
The Indigenous Gathering Space opens.
The Canadian Coast Guard signs an agreement with the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden, to collaborate on maritime education and research.
Where we are today
The Canadian Coast Guard College is one of the best-equipped marine learning institutes in the world.
“Upon arrival, Officer Cadets and trainees are welcomed into an environment built for success. With access to state-of-the-art training facilities, specialized curricula, and the guidance of dedicated faculty and staff, they are well-equipped to excel on their path to becoming leaders in the maritime field.”
— David Gerbasi, Acting Executive Director of the Canadian Coast Guard College
Welcoming about 80 officer cadets each year, the College delivers a 4-year Officer Training Program and a 6-month Marine Communications and Traffic Services training program. It also supports continuing education for fleet personnel. The College develops and delivers courses in the areas of:
- search and rescue
- electronics and informatics technical training
- marine engineering and navigation
- ship’s logistics and second language training
- marine environmental and hazardous response
World-class education
The College is home to modern learning facilities and simulators that offer students a world-class education.
“As the first female Sciences Instructor in the Officer Training Program at the College 24 years ago, I have witnessed the evolution of education at this special facility and been inspired by a new generation of engineers and navigators.”
— Jennifer Rice, Mathematics Instructor, Canadian Coast Guard College
Indigenous Gathering Space
The Indigenous Gathering Space celebrates and honours First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples’ rich:
- history
- culture
- art
It’s a special and welcoming environment. It helps the College support Indigenous practices and strengthen relations with Indigenous Peoples.
Waterfront facility
The College’s waterfront facility includes a boat house and a fleet of small training vessels. Students and Canadian Coast Guard members use these vessels to practice on-water operations.
Marine engineering training building
The marine engineering training building helps our future engineers practice their skills to prepare for work on a ship. The building includes:
- training engines
- a marine propulsion plant simulator
- machining and welding equipment
“I love the Marine Engineering program because it provides me with a hands-on learning experience and training both at the College and at sea.”
— Paige Baker, Officer Cadet, Marine Engineering, Canadian Coast Guard College Class of 2025
John Adams Library
The John Adams Library’s collection is focused on nautical science and technology. It’s bilingual and supports the College’s academic programs.
Planetarium
The planetarium provides celestial navigation training. This critical skill can be lifesaving during a power outage while at sea.
State-of-the-art simulators
Students train on several specialized simulators at the College. They gain the hands-on skills they need to safely work onboard Canadian Coast Guard ships.
Wärtsilä training engine
The state-of-the-art Wärtsilä training engine simulates the diesel engine found on several Canadian Coast Guard vessels. It features:
- a control room
- equipment
- operating systems
It helps students and personnel to learn how to:
- operate such an engine
- repair it
- rebuild it
Marine navigation simulator
The marine navigation simulator helps students learn how to:
- respond to real-life scenarios on a ship’s bridge
- maneuver vessels in different weather and sea conditions
This simulator can also portray any port or body of water in the world and has 8 different ships’ bridges to practice on.
Ice simulator
The ice simulator replicates polar water conditions. It allows students to learn icebreaking services, including how to:
- breakout harbours
- escort vessels through ice
- prevent flooding
Clubs and community
Fostering a strong community is important to the Canadian Coast Guard College. It achieves this by offering a wide range of activities.
“I chose the Canadian Coast Guard College for navigational skills, but I remember the College for the community: from the cleaning and security staff to the smiles in the Galley, from the instructors to the Sydney friends who made sure I experienced the warmth of the Cape Breton colours and hospitality. These people made the ‘Atlantic bubble’ home away from home.”
— Catherine (Buschhaus) Christensen, Canadian Coast Guard, Western Region
Wellness Centre and Sports Complex
The Wellness Centre and Sports Complex provides:
- a music room
- a squash court
- a 25-metre swimming pool
- outdoor sports fields
- lunchtime fitness classes
Clubs and sports
Clubs and sports activities are an important part of the officer cadet experience. Cadets plan and organize their own activities and clubs. Some of the favourites include:
- a tech club
- a skateboard paint club
- golf and hockey tournaments
Music band
The Canadian Coast Guard College also has a band, which performs at events such as:
- ceremonial divisions
- graduation ceremonies
Positive Space Committee
The Positive Space Committee trains officer cadets and College employees to become ambassadors for positive space. Some of the committee’s activities include:
- participating in annual pride parades
- organizing talks with guest speakers
- hosting presentations
Local community
The Canadian Coast Guard College is dedicated to serving its local community. Officer cadets participate in local:
- Canada Day activities
- Halloween patrols
- Remembrance Day services
Officer cadets and members of the College also work with municipal and provincial emergency responders during states of emergency and after major storms, like Hurricane Fiona.
The next 60 years
Over the past 60 years, the College has created some of the best marine training programs in the world. It has modernized its training to prepare officer cadets and current crews for larger and more complex vessels.
“As a graduate from the Canadian Coast Guard College myself, I speak from personal experience when I say the College is a national centre for educational excellence. It feels like only yesterday I was arriving at the College for the first time, excited to learn and get out on the water. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching the College grow and modernize into a world-class learning institute, equipping generations of officers to safeguard Canada’s coasts. I am so proud of everything the College has been able to achieve and look forward to seeing it continue to build Canada’s future maritime leaders. Bravo Zulu!”
— Mario Pelletier, Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard College Class of 1989
Over the next 60 years, the College will continue to evolve to:
- meet the needs of the Canadian Coast Guard’s future fleet
- remain a leading centre of training and innovation in maritime education
The Canadian Coast Guard College is working on curricula to address new technologies and the increasing demands of maritime safety. For example, next year it will launch new training programs for environmental response officers for the Canadian Coast Guard.
And starting in 2026, the College will be able to offer firefighting training to Canadian Coast Guard employees. A new on-campus building for the training is currently under construction.
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Get on board. There is a bright future ahead for the Canadian Coast Guard College.
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