Department of National Defence Canadian Patrol Submarine Project at CFB Halifax – Phase 2, Construction and Infrastructure

Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Department of National Defence Canadian Patrol Submarine Project at CFB Halifax – Phase 2, Construction and Infrastructure

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 15, 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
The project includes the construction of buildings, roadways, underground and above ground utilities, and jetty infrastructure to support the following functions:

• Submarine berthing and jetty operations (jetty, jetty cranes and shoreline infrastructure)
• Submarine maintenance (maintenance facility / hardstand area /supply and stores facility / laydown areas / battery servicing)
• Submarine maintenance (maintenance facility / hardstand area /supply and stores facility / laydown areas / battery servicing)
• Training (unsecure and secure training centre(s))
• Roads, sidewalks, and underground and aboveground utilities
• Fire services / Military Police / security presence (fire hall and/or auxiliary support building)
• Security infrastructure (fencing, cameras, etc.).
• Parkade

The construction activities will also involve dredging, vegetation clearing, excavation, demolition, marine works, and the movement of construction equipment and materials. Additionally, the project will include the installation of the following building systems (associated hazardous substances in brackets): heating and cooling (halocarbons), reactant filling station (hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen), fuel storage tank(s) (diesel/gas), oil water separator(s), and fire suppression systems. Demolition of existing buildings (two buildings) within the project area will be required prior to construction. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2027 and be completed by 2034. The initial site preparation phase is found under Department of National Defence Canadian Patrol Submarine Project at CFB Halifax – Phase 1, Site Preparation.
The approximate size of the construction area is 90,000 m².