"Beachy Head" was acquired by the Royal Canadian Navy in 1952 and renamed "Cape Scott" in 1953. The ship lay alongside in Halifax, Nova Scotia used as classroom ship and providing auxiliary services in the harbour. The ship was sent for a refit at Saint John, New Brunswick and commissioned on 28 January 1959. In January 1960, the ship deployed to Bermuda as headquarters ship for the Canadian warships from Atlantic Command performing naval exercises in the Caribbean Sea during the winter months. During the deployment, "Cape Scott" transported six Sikorsky H04S and one Bell helicopters to Bermuda. She returned to Halifax in March. In October 1960, "Cape Scott" took part in the NATO naval exercise Sweep Clear V off Shelburne, Nova Scotia.