Department of National Defence Canadian Patrol Submarine Project at CFB Halifax – Phase 1, Site Preparation

Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Department of National Defence Canadian Patrol Submarine Project at CFB Halifax – Phase 1, Site Preparation

October 16, 2026 — The authorities must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the authorities are inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by November 4, 2026 to:
CFB Halifax Public Affairs
Mailing Address:  PO Box 99000, Station Forces
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K 5X5
E-mail:  CFBHalifaxPublicAffairs@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) is proposing a project. The project will involve construction of new infrastructure in support of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax. To support the delivery of the new submarines, DND must deliver complex, multi-purpose infrastructure at CFB Halifax by 2033 to enable submarine berthing, maintenance, and operations. The proposed location is at the CFB Halifax Wrights Cove property, located adjacent to the Bedford Basin and Burnside Industrial Park, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. DND intends to make a determination on the project in phases. The construction and infrastructure phase is found under project Title: Department of National Defence Canadian Patrol Submarine Project at CFB Halifax – Phase 2, Construction and Infrastructure.
The current, phase 1 site preparation work to support this new infrastructure will include the following:

• Vegetation clearing, including tree and brush removal within designated work areas.
• Grubbing and removal of stumps, roots, and organic materials.
• Topsoil stripping and stockpiling of suitable materials where appropriate.
• Site grading and earthworks to establish required site elevations and drainage patterns.
• Establishment of temporary construction access routes, laydown areas, and staging areas.
• Installation and maintenance of erosion and sediment control measures.
• Temporary fencing and construction site security measures, as required.
• Relocation, protection, or removal of existing site features and utilities, where necessary.

Site preparation construction activities will involve the operation of heavy equipment and the movement of construction materials and personnel throughout the project area. Site preparation work is anticipated to commence in January 2027.
The approximate area of disturbance is 80,000 m².