Nipigon was laid down on 5 August 1960 at Marine Industries Ltd., Sorel and launched on 10 December 1961. Her construction was overseen by Cdr Donald Clark CD, who also oversaw the laying-down and commencement of HMCS Bras d Or. She was commissioned into the RCN on 30 May 1964 with pennant number 266 and with the wife of the then Governor-General Georges P Vanier DSO MC & Bar CD, Madame Pauline Vanier, as her sponsor.