The "Halifax"-class frigate design of which "Ville de Québec" belongs, was ordered by the Canadian Forces in 1977 as a replacement for the aging , , , and es of destroyer escorts, which were all tasked with anti-submarine warfare. In July 1983, the federal government approved the budget for the design and construction of the first batch of six new frigates of which "Ville de Québec" was a part, out of twelve that were eventually built. To reflect the changing long-term strategy of the Navy during the 1980s and 1990s, the "Halifax"-class frigates was designed as a general purpose warship with particular focus on anti-submarine capabilities.