The Honourable Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, along with 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) on July 16.
This new facility, built by the Halifax Port Authority with funding from Transport Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund and the CBSA, represents an investment in Canada’s future and a commitment to the safety and security of Canadians. Beyond improving supply chain efficiency and secure trade, it helps Canadian businesses compete globally, enhances operational safety and efficiency for CBSA staff, and supports the continued growth of Halifax’s port operations.
Located on the shores of the Bedford Basin near the former Africville community and adjacent to the PSA Halifax Fairview Cove Terminal, the 2,700-square-metre Envision-Verified Certified facility replaces the previous MCEF warehouse in Burnside Industrial Park, which required containers to be transported across the MacKay Bridge for inspection.
The new MCEF plays a vital role in safeguarding Canadian and international communities from transnational organized crime while ensuring the smooth movement of critical supply chains through the Port of Halifax—one of Canada’s most important maritime gateways.
High-risk shipping containers are flagged for inspection at the MCEF by the CBSA’s National Targeting Centre and Halifax’s Waterfront Cargo Inspection Unit. CBSA officers stationed at the facility conduct thorough examinations to detect drugs, weapons, stolen vehicles, and other illegal goods entering or leaving Canada. They also enforce compliance with food, plant, and animal regulations.
CBSA officers at the Marine Container Examination Facility regularly intercept large quantities of illegal drugs and stolen vehicles. From March 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, they seized 189 stolen vehicles, 1,957 kg of cannabis destined for export, and narcotics worth $208 million.
The facility’s name, *Africville Seasides*, pays tribute to the history, resilience, and spirit of the Africville community. The name was chosen by Africville residents in honor of their historic hockey team, the Africville Seasides, which competed in Canada’s first and only all-Black men’s ice hockey league, winning two championships in the early 1900s.
