Latest news with #BedfordBasin
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Marine Container Examination Facility celebrates new opening in Halifax
The Africville Seasides Marine Container Examination Facility celebrated its official opening July 16, 2025. (CTV Atlantic/ Jonathan MacInnis) The new Africville Seasides Marine Container Examination Facility (MCEF) celebrated its official opening in Halifax on Wednesday. The construction of the facility, which began in summer 2022, finished in April 2025. Operations started on April 7. Benefits of the new facility include: improves the efficiency, safety, security and operations for Canada Border Services (CBSA) employees reduces port congestion through operational efficiencies allows continued growth for the Halifax Port Authority increases supply chain effectiveness enables Canadian businesses to compete and grow in international markets reduces container truck traffic and emissions as the new MCEF is located directly on Port of Halifax property Africville Seasides Marine Container Examination Facility Jennifer Lutfallah at the Africville Seasides Marine Container Examination Facility official opening July 16, 2025. (CTV Atlantic/ Jonathan MacInnis) The 2,700 square-metre facility, located on the Bedford Basin, is operated by the Halifax Port Authority and is used by the CBSA. The CBSA has 10 examination bays for officers to examine high-risk shipping containers. 'Large quantities of drugs and stolen vehicles are regularly intercepted by border services officers,' a release from the CBSA said. Africville Seasides Marine Container Examination Facility The Africville Seasides Marine Container Examination Facility celebrated its official opening July 16, 2025. (CTV Atlantic/ Jonathan MacInnis) 'From March 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, CBSA officers at the Marine Container Examination Facility intercepted 189 stolen vehicles, 1957kg of cannabis leaving Canada, and $208M worth of narcotics,' a release from Darren Fisher, member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, said. The Halifax Port Authority along with the Government of Canada spent around $25 million on the facility. Transport Canada funded $7 million towards the project under the National Trade Corridors Fund. The CBSA invested $879,000 for CCTV hardware and installation. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Unknown odor at DeWolf Park in Bedford, N.S. deters visitors
People flock to the paths lining the Bedford Basin. A walk around the water is good for the soul but there's something in the air that is ruining the experience. 'It's absolutely putrid,' says Donald Kerr. 'As soon as we start to smell it, we want to leave,' Pat Steele adds. Many are pointing a finger at the nearby Mill Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant. 'The wind is the indicator depending on which way it's blowing. Some days you won't notice it at all other days. It's fairly strong,' resident Ken Strang says. Calls are coming into Halifax Water to complain. Officials with the utility say they are looking into the cause. 'We can't pinpoint an exact reason. There's several reasons it could be, a timing in the treatment process as well as external factors such as the weather, wind, humidity,' says Senior Communications Advisor for Halifax Water, Brittany Smith. The plant services over 105,000 people in Sackville, Beaver Bank and Bedford. When the facility was built there wasn't much in the area but today there are apartments on either side and it's adjacent to Admiral Harry DeWolf Park where people picnic, walk or sit and relax. Residents say the smell is driving them away. 'I have certainly seen the impact of it. It's very popular park and it's become even more popular in recent years. Our population is increasing in Bedford, so it has become a prime gathering place,' says Bedford-Wentworth Coun. Jean St-Amand. On certain days, the stench forces Kerr to change the route for his walk. 'We who walk here enjoy walking here and when we get something like that, it puts you off walking or you cut your walk down to make sure you're out of the range of the smell,' he said. Halifax Water is asking anyone to call when they notice a smell and staff will see if that coincides with operations at the plant - an attempt to find out why the air is so foul. The Mill Cove plant is approaching 60 years of age. There was some work done on it in the 1990's. Another round of upgrades to increase capacity are planned for 2031. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
