[6] At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Royal Canadian Navy considered constructing more, but chose to build Bangor-class minesweepers instead upon learning of that design due to their oil-burning engines.

[9] The Fundy class was propelled by one shaft driven by vertical triple expansion engine powered by steam from a one-cylinder boiler.

[5] This created between 850–950 indicated horsepower (630–710 kW) and gave the minesweepers a top speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph).

[5] The ships were armed with one QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mk IV gun mounted forward on a raised platform.

[10] The vessel's keel was laid down on 24 January 1938 by Morton Engineering and Dry Dock Co. at Quebec City.

At the onset of war, Gaspé and sister ship Fundy were the only warships available to patrol the entrance to Halifax's harbour.