Nelles wanted Canadian destroyers ordered in 1938, but political delay held authorisation until 1940. Canadian orders consequently followed British prewar emergency orders and the further orders placed once war began. Haida was ordered in April 1940 and laid down in September 1941 despite using the established Tribal design. The British ordering rationale allowed for roughly three years before a ship entered service. If the European war continued, the ships would reinforce it; if it ended sooner, they would restore numbers for a possible war with Japan. Canada chose Tribals because they offered cruiser-like presence without the cost of cruisers. Delayed approval therefore affected when a familiar design could reach the fleet.
Notable Point · 44:00-46:05
Emergency orders hedged against two wars
Late Canadian authorization placed its Tribals behind British emergency orders, while three-year build times made new ships insurance against both a long European war and a later Pacific conflict.