Admiral (Canada)
The rank of admiral in Canada is typically held by only one officer whose position is Chief of the Defence Staff and the senior uniformed officer of the Canadian Forces. It is equivalent to the army and air force rank of general.
The last naval officer to hold the rank of admiral and the position of Chief of the Defence Staff was Admiral John Rogers Anderson.
The current naval officer to hold the rank of admiral and the position of Chief of the Defence Staff is Admiral Art McDonald, as of January 14, 2021.
There have been three chiefs of the Defence Staff who have been an admiral:
Prince Philip held the rank of admiral in an honorary capacity and not an active regular member of the RCN from 2011 until his death in 2021.
Others have held the title but under different circumstances:
- Charles Kingsmill was an admiral for the director of Naval Services of Canada, a title that is now referred to as Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy.
- Percy W. Nelles was promoted admiral after his retirement as Chief of Naval Staff and was vice-admiral during active duty.