Emotional farewells as HMCS Montreal deploys from Halifax

There were many tears and hugs as HMCS Montreal prepared to deploy for Operation Horizon in the Indo-Pacific.

The trip was slightly delayed due to a “minor mechanical problem” discovered on Friday.

“The sooner we start this, the sooner we can get home, so we're looking forward to that,” said Petty Officer Second Class Matthew Hawes.

Families spent their last moments together in Halifax on Sunday before loved ones depart for the next six months.

“I've never felt so bad until today, it was like a ton of bricks,” said Stephanie Rouillard-Tate, whose husband was deployed.

It's not the first time her husband says it's always a difficult day for her and her children, five-year-old Lucy and 10-year-old Remington.

“A little anxiety, I'm tired, sad and nervous.”

The Rouillard-Tate family embraces HMCS Montreal before deployment. (CTV/Stephanie Tsikos)Lt. Gov. Arthur LeBlanc stopped by to see off the crew and spent days like this with their families, like the Gelsingers they knew so well.

“He left, but the longest he stayed was three months,” said Jacob Gelsinger, whose father was being deployed.

HMCS Montreal is the first of three ships deployed in Operation Horizon.

Lieutenant Governor Arthur LeBlanc met with the Gelsinger family. (CTV/Stephanie Tsikos)“In support of the government's Indo-Pacific strategy, we are deploying ships from both the Pacific and Atlantic fleets to the region,” said Commodore Trevor McLean, commander of the Atlantic Canadian fleet.

The crew of about 250 people was due to fly on Sunday, but repairs are needed first.

“If something breaks, what we normally do is we ship the parts overseas, we fix it there, but instead of doing that, it's better to fix it here, spend a few hours together, and then start fixing it. it's over,” McLean said.

The crew will now remain on board for training before takeoff, which could be Sunday evening or Monday. They are expected to return home in October.

“I want to be home in time for Halloween for my daughter,” Hawes said.

“I said we'll try to make him some matching clothes, so we'll see.”

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