Craig Baines

Baines hails from Saskatchewan and before his military career was a national judo medallist and graduate from the University of Manitoba.^[1]

He was appointed Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic in July 2014 ^[2] before being promoted to Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic in 2017.^[3]

He joined Maritime Command in 1987 and completed the Forces Regular Officer Training Program. He served as navigation officer on a number of ships before completing an operations course. In 2004 he served as executive officer of HMCS Calgary, and in 2007 he was appointed commanding officer of the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Winnipeg.^[4]

In 2010 he served as the base commander of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. This was followed by a stint as special advisor to the Chief of Defence Staff, after which he became fleet commander of Canadian Fleet Atlantic.^[4]

He became Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy on January 12, 2021.^[5] He stood down in May 2022 pending retirement, and retired in late 2022.^[6][7]

In October 2022, it was announced that Baines had joined Modest Tree as a strategic advisor, for the company’s efforts in the marine, aerospace and defence industries.^[8]

Baines apologised after it was reported that he had played golf with General Jonathan Vance while the latter was under investigation for alleged abuse towards female military staff.^[9]

Baines's personal awards and decorations included the following:

Ribbon	Description	Notes
	Order of Military Merit (CMM)	Appointed Commander (CMM) on 21 September 2020[10]
	Meritorious Service Cross (MSC)	Appointed (MSC) on 7 October 2009[11] Military division Received the for his leadership of HMCS Winnipeg during counter-piracy operations.
	Special Service Medal	with NATO-OTAN Clasp
	NATO Medal Non-Article 5	with Africa clasp
	Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD)	with two Clasp for 32 years of services

Command Commendation