During WW2, there were two carriers the HMS Nabob and the Puncher. They were light carriers and were Royal Navy but they were staffed by Canadians and mostly used for escort duty.
During the Cold War there were three Canadian Carriers
We had the HMCS Warrior from 46 to 48 but there were some design flaws in terms of cold water capability. So we basically traded it to the UK for escort carriers.
We had the HMCS Magnificent, which was a Majestic Class Carrier. She served from 48 to 57, She had 2 squadrons 1 of Sea Fury Fighters, and 1 of FireFly IV Torpedeo Bombers. Canada later bought Avenger Torpedo Bombers.
In 57 the Commissioned Bonaventure to replace the Magnificent. They were both the same class of carrier, but the Bonaventure was slightly heavier and more advanced, it also was designed to launch and recover Jets. She carried two squadrons of Banshee Fighters as well as other non combat and ASW platforms. Later she was converted to be a strictly antisubmarine platform and helicopter carrer.
Canada basically had over 20 years of carrier operational experience and then we lost it.
We had a navy that could form its own task forces and protect them and we lost that too.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
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