HONOURING 64 YEARS
A LEGACY BORN
January 26, 2026 — Today marks the 64th anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), a milestone that celebrates an organization born on January 26, 1962, when the Honourable Leon Balcer, then Minister of Transport, officially announced its creation. From that day forward, the CCG has stood as a pillar of maritime safety, environmental protection, and national pride across Canada's vast and challenging waters.
In 1962, amid boom in ocean commerce and the recent opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, Canada recognized the need for a unified, national agency to oversee marine services that had previously been scattered across departments. Consolidating responsibilities from predecessors like the Marine Service of the Department of Transport, the CCG was established as a civilian, non-armed force dedicated to non-military maritime duties. Its motto, Saluti Primum, Auxilio Semper ("Safety First, Service Always"), captured the essence of its mission from the start.
Over the past six decades and more, the CCG has grown into one of the world's most respected coast guard services, while focusing on what matters most to mariners and coastal communities: saving lives, protecting the environment, and ensuring safe navigation.
A Legacy of Lifesaving and Service
The CCG's work is felt every day across Canada's 202,080 kilometres of coastline — the longest in the world — and over 2.3 million square nautical miles of ocean and inland waters. Its fleet of vessels and aircraft, painted in the iconic red and white, responds to distress calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Search and Rescue (SAR): Coordinating rescues in every condition, from Arctic gales to Great Lakes storms, often in partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces and volunteer organizations.
Icebreaking: Clearing paths for commercial shipping in the Arctic and St. Lawrence, supporting northern communities and the economy while navigating increasingly complex ice patterns due to climate change.
Aids to Navigation: Maintaining buoys, lighthouses, and charts that guide vessels safely.
Marine Communications and Traffic Services: Monitoring vessel movements to prevent collisions and respond swiftly to incidents.
Environmental Response: Leading efforts to contain and mitigate marine spills, protecting fragile ecosystems from coast to coast to coast.
In Honour of Those Who Serve
To the men and women of the Canadian Coast Guard: thank you for your unwavering dedication. May the next decades bring continued success, safety for all who sail Canada's waters, and pride for the nation you serve.
Happy 64th Anniversary to the Canadian Coast Guard — from all Canadians who sail, fish, live, or simply cherish our maritime heritage and the integrity of our national security and waters.