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Cabinet officials

New Marine Container Examination Facility Opens in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Honourable Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth--Cole Harbour, alongside senior officials from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Halifax Port Authority, and the Africville community, celebrated the opening of the new Marine Container Examination Facility (MCEF) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This state-of-the-art facility represents an investment in Canada's future, prioritizing the safety and security of Canadians through the secure examination of high-risk shipping containers. The new MCEF will facilitate the smooth flow of Canada's critical supply chains via the Port of Halifax, one of Canada's most vital marine gateways.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new Marine Container Examination Facility (MCEF) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, marks an investment in Canada's future, ensuring the safety and security of Canadians through the examination of high-risk shipping containers.
  • The facility is a 2,700 square-metre Envision-Verified Certified building, replacing the former MCEF warehouse in the Burnside Industrial Park.
  • The MCEF is located on the shores of the Bedford Basin, adjacent to the PSA Halifax Fairview Cove Terminal near the former Africville community, and is home to the CBSA's Container Examination Team and Waterfront Cargo Inspection Unit.
  • High-risk shipping containers are referred for examination at the MCEF by the CBSA's National Targeting Centre, as well as the CBSA's Waterfront Cargo Inspection Unit in Halifax.
  • CBSA officers conduct comprehensive examinations of containers and cargo to detect drugs, weapons, stolen vehicles, and other contraband.
  • The facility's name, Africville Seasides, honours the history, vibrancy, and resiliency of the people of Africville.
  • The Africville community selected the building's name in honour of their hockey team, the Africville Seasides, which played in the country's first and only all-Black men's ice hockey league in the early 1900s.
  • The facility has intercepted significant quantities of illicit drugs and stolen vehicles since its operation began, including 189 stolen vehicles, 1957kg of cannabis, and $208M worth of narcotics between March 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025.

Statistics:

  • The new MCEF is a 2,700 square-metre facility.
  • Between March 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, CBSA officers intercepted:

+ 189 stolen vehicles.

+ 1957kg of cannabis leaving Canada.

+ $208M worth of narcotics.

  • The facility is located adjacent to the PSA Halifax Fairview Cove Terminal, near the former Africville community.

Sources:

  • Government of Canada.
  • Honourable Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth--Cole Harbour.
  • Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
  • Halifax Port Authority.
  • Africville community.

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