 She was laid down on 18 May 1943 by Davie Shipbuilding and Repairing Co. Ltd. at Lauzon, Quebec and launched 16 October later that year.She was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy on 28 May 1944 at Lévis, Quebec.The River-class frigate was designed by William Reed of Smith's Dock Company of South Bank-on-Tees.