Three years ago, Commander (Cdr) Éric Isabelle, from Montmagny PQ, received his second command, the one of His Majesty’s Canadian Submarine (HMCS) Corner Brook. At the time, the submarine was completing a long period of refit. Now, Cdr Isabelle departs, leaving a fully operational submarine with a crew ready to deploy to serve Canada.
“The submarine has been in refit for a while. We had the time to prepare ourselves and train, and now it’s time for action.”
That enthusiasm comes from a long wait and a desire to accomplish what has always interested him. His father’s family had a lot of experience in the Army, but his father, Gilles, a gunner, had often told Éric that he could see him as a naval officer.
In fact, when he was still quite young, the world of the navy had already made an impression on him. He even remembers that during a visit to the Quebec Maritime Museum in L’Islet, he made a discovery that would have a major affect on his future.
“My family is really army but when I saw HMCS Bras d’Or, I was definitely interested. I even told myself that one day I was going to command a ship,” says Cdr Isabelle.
In 2002, he enrolled as a Naval Warfare Officer and began his studies at the Royal Military College of Canada. During his time there, he discovered the Canadian Submarine Force and that was it.
“Small teams, the fact that it’s unique, the fact that it’s very independent and the fact that we create our own destiny. You become the commander of a submarine if you put in the time and effort to be able to do the job,” Cdr Isabelle explains.
Having commanded HMCS Victoria beginning on June 6, 2019, then HMCS Corner Brook from April 1, 2022, to May 26, 2025, he admits that the sacrifices are not only his own. He is the father of three and his wife often looks after the children without him.
“Being the commander of a submarine is the most interesting thing in the Navy, but dedication to family deserves recognition,” Isabelle points out.
With 22 years of service, Cdr Isabelle is proud of his time in the Royal Canadian Navy. Something he would like to do in the future is to see and even participate in the procurement of new submarines for Canada.
“My objective is that the future Armed Forces have a healthy Navy. We have to move forward,” says Cdr Isabelle. “That project is an important project for Canada and for the Navy.”
