HMCS Calgary Command Team Brunch — June 7, 2026
The new command team of HMCS Calgary joined Calgary Salutes committee members and supporters for a private working brunch at The Carriage House Inn, Calgary — the first face-to-face meeting between the ship's incoming leadership and the civilian committee ahead of the summer event season.
June 7, 2026 — The new command team of HMCS Calgary joined Calgary Salutes committee members and supporters for a private working brunch at The Carriage House Inn, Calgary. The gathering was the first face-to-face meeting between the ship's incoming leadership and the civilian committee that supports her, held in advance of the summer event season.
The event brought together naval and civic leadership in an intimate setting — the kind of low-ceremony, high-connection meeting that makes the Calgary–HMCS Calgary relationship work in practice, not just in bylaws.
Who was there
From HMCS Calgary: Commander Matthew Woodburn, Commanding Officer; Lieutenant-Commander Trevor Robinson, Executive Officer; Coxswain Mark Stevens, newly appointed; and Leading Seaman Andreea Danilescu, recognized as the Most Deserving Sailor by her chiefs.
From the civilian side: Councillor DJ Kelly (Ward 4), chair of Calgary Salutes; Gian-Carlo Carra, honorary committee member and inaugural chair of Calgary Salutes; Steven Armstrong, committee member; Cindy Browning, committee member; Kathleen Hill, retired Navy, and Joel Hill, her spouse; Commander (Retired) Scott Hausberg, President of the Naval Museum of Alberta Society; Commander Anna Kocot, Commanding Officer of HMCS Tecumseh, the Calgary-based naval reserve division; and Raj Taneja, committee member.
From left: Commander Matthew Woodburn, Commanding Officer of HMCS Calgary; DJ Kelly, Calgary City Councillor (Ward 4) and chair of Calgary Salutes; and Coxswain Mark Stevens at the Command Team Brunch, June 7, 2026.
Back row, left to right: Commander (Retired) Scott Hausberg, President of the Naval Museum of Alberta Society; Joel Hill; DJ Kelly, Calgary City Councillor (Ward 4) and chair of Calgary Salutes; Commander Matthew Woodburn, Commanding Officer of HMCS Calgary; Gian-Carlo Carra, honorary committee member and inaugural chair of Calgary Salutes; Commander Anna Kocot, Commanding Officer of HMCS Tecumseh; Coxswain Mark Stevens; Raj Taneja, committee member; Leading Seaman Andreea Danilescu; Lieutenant-Commander Trevor Robinson, Executive Officer.
Front row, left to right: Kathleen Hill, retired Navy; Steven Armstrong, committee member; Cindy Browning, committee member.
Cadet corps engagement
The command team discussed their recent visit to RCSCC Calgary, the local Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps named after the ship. The cadets share HMCS Calgary's crest. The visit included their annual ceremonial review and a dinner with the cadets the following evening.
Stampede 2026
Fifty-three sailors confirmed for Calgary. Four-day rotation planned: one day at the Stampede grounds, next day a work day. The white hat ceremony is being organized — hats currently being funded and sourced.
July 2 — Calgary Barn Burner
The Calgary Barn Burner returns July 2, 2026, at The Commons at ATCO Park | Blue Flame Kitchen. This is the flagship public event of the Calgary Salutes summer season.
Tickets: Adults $60, Kids $10, Pay It Forward $60 (sponsor a sailor's ticket). Each ticket includes dinner, one drink ticket, and Stampede entertainment. Get tickets on the Barn Burner event page.
Volunteer for the Barn Burner specifically: Sign up here. This is the direct volunteer link for the July 2 event — not the general volunteering flow.
Sponsor a sailor
The City of Calgary ticketing page includes a "Pay It Forward" option for $60 — sponsor a sailor's ticket for the July 2 Barn Burner. Every sponsored seat puts a sailor from HMCS Calgary's ship's company in the room for the white hat ceremony and the evening's programming. This is a direct way to support the sailors traveling from Esquimalt to Calgary for Stampede events. Get tickets on the Barn Burner event page.
About the relationship
HMCS Calgary (FFH 335) is a Halifax-class frigate commissioned in 1995. The City of Calgary's connection to the ship is managed through Calgary Salutes, a standing committee of City Council established by Bylaw 37M2025. The Friends of HMCS Calgary subcommittee handles event programming and civilian-side coordination.
This was a private working brunch — the kind of gathering that happens in the spaces between parades and press releases, where sailors and civilians align schedules before the summer season begins.
For questions about Calgary Salutes or upcoming events, email hello@calgarysalutes.ca.