Bon Espoir.
Good Hope.

HMCS YORK began on 10 April 1923 as the Toronto Half-Company of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, with 57 officers and men. It was one of the original Naval Reserve divisions.

During the Second World War, YORK was a major recruiting and training centre. More than 16,000 people entered the Navy through the unit. YORK was formally commissioned in 1941.

• 1946: The present building opened. It was expanded in 1953.
• 1953–1961: YORK’s VC 920 Air Reserve Squadron was active.
• 1983: YORK received Freedom of the City of Toronto.
• 1985: YORK won the Silver Destroyer trophy as Canada’s top Naval Reserve division.

YORK’s crest features the white rose of the House of York. Its motto, “Bon Espoir”, means “Good Hope”. The unit’s role includes preparing trained sailors for the Royal Canadian Navy and maintaining the Navy’s presence in Toronto.