The five vessels that comprise the class are split between the two major naval bases of the Royal Canadian Navy.

The Royal Canadian Navy operated a fleet of tugboats during the Second World War which were also named the Glen class.

The Glen class is a series of five yard tractor tugboats designed for coastal/harbour use in Canada's major naval bases.

[2] While the Glen-class tugs are equipped for firefighting, the Canadian Forces maintained a pair of dedicated Fire-class fireboats, the 140-ton Firebrand and Firebird, one each in each port.

[4] On 4 December 2012 the Department of National Defence published an enquiry for Canadian shipbuilders interested in building replacements for the Glen-class tugs¸and Fire-class fireboats.