Rear-Admiral John F. Newton CMM MSM CD is a retired Royal Canadian Navy officer and now liaison officer with Veterans Affairs Canada. He joined the Navy in 1983 after graduating as a geologist from Dalhousie University. He commanded HMCS Fredericton from 2003 until 2006. In 2008 he took command of Canadian Forces Base Halifax. In 2010 he was appointed director general of naval personnel and promoted to commodore. He was appointed Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic in July 2013. In 2017 he took up a post as liaison officer with Veterans Affairs Canada.