The primary mission of the NAVRES is to force generate sailors and teams for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations, including: domestic safety operations as well as security and defence missions, while at the same time supporting the Navy's efforts in connecting with Canadians through the maintenance of a broad national presence.

Agreeing to serve in wartime with either the RCN or the British Royal Navy,[2] members of the RNCVR crewed 160 vessels, patrolling the shores of Canada and conducting convoy escort duties.

Most of these men and women were members of the RCNVR.With the end of the Second World War, the Naval Reserve was formed in 1945 replacing the RCNVR.

Focused on minesweeping, escort, and coastal patrol; each division mirrored its organisation, training and crew with all officer branches and non-commissioned trades across the fleet.

Left outside the Canadian Forces structure, the Naval Reserve would rely on new and unique ways of keeping relevant during the Cold War years.

One such task undertaken by the NAVRES was to spearhead enhancing RCN mine countermeasures operation capabilities and by crewing twelve new Kingston-class coastal defence vessels, that since their introduction in 1996, have significantly contributed to Canadian maritime security and allied commitments, both domestically and internationally.

Organized into 24 shore-based NRDs, Naval Reserve units are dedicated to training sailors to augment the Regular Force as well as functioning as local recruitment centres for the RCN and NAVRES.

During the summer months the NBNR is a full-time touring military band composed of musicians from HMCS Chippawa, Donnacona, Montcalm, Star, Tecumseh and York.As of 2019, naval reserve divisions (NRDs) across Canada primarily operate various types of inboard and outboard rigid-hull inflatable boats in addition to Defender-class boats operated by the NST.

Most particularly, NAVRES is tasked with providing the personnel for the Kingston-class coastal defence vessels and Naval Security Team (NST).

[19]The Canadian Armed Forces lists 36 occupations that are performed by either officer or non-commissioned members of the Naval Reserve.