The Department of National Defence (DND) is building a Land-Based Testing Facility on a portion of DND-owned land at Hartlen Point in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia.
Frequently Asked Questions
↓ Public Update (August 23, 2024)
Community Information Bulletin
Construction update
Construction of the Canadian Surface Combatant Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) will take place at Hartlen Point in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia, between winter 2025 and fall 2027. This includes building the facility and supporting infrastructure such as security fencing, parking lot, roads, and utilities. See the most recent rendering of the LBTF below (Figure 1) for reference. Although construction is expected to be complete by fall 2027, timing is subject to change based on the progress of the design and construction processes. Another update will be provided when more information is available.
The building itself will be constructed approximately 80 metres away from the shoreline and the perimeter fence will be approximately 50 metres from the shoreline. The project area includes the area within the future LBTF fence line as well as the roadway leading to the site. See the most recent site plan below (Figure 2) for reference.
Coastal erosion and shoreline stability considerations are being reviewed by the project team. Work is underway to assess the potential to stabilize both the northeast and southeast portions of the shoreline adjacent to the future LBTF fence line. Impact to water-based recreation or commercial activities is anticipated to be low, although there will likely be restricted access to the beach during the implementation of any shoreline stabilization.
The project team continues to work on determination of post-construction operational and security constraints, striving towards minimal impact to fishing, surfing, birding, golfing, hiking, and other land and water-based activities to the extent possible. As more information is available, it will be shared with the public.
What to expect during construction
- Main work hours are from Monday to Friday between 7 am and 5 pm. Exceptions may be made for after-hours work but will be limited.
- Public access and safety are a high priority. Members of the public may continue using the Hartlen Point property and accessing the shoreline in front of the construction site for recreational activities until further notice. Public access within the designated project area/construction zone is not permitted to ensure the safety of community members and work crews.
- There is some construction signage in place at Hartlen Point. Additional signage, construction fencing, and jersey barriers will be placed later in summer 2024 to further delineate the construction zone perimeter. Access to the construction area will be prohibited and monitored by commissionaires and roving active spotters for the safety of the work crews and community members in and around the designated project area/construction zone. Members of the public are asked to adhere to all signage near the active site.
- There may be dust, noise, construction equipment traffic, and temporary closures to the site’s access road. The Department of National Defence is making every effort to reduce impacts on the community.
Early site preparation work
The first phase of site preparation, brush clearing and tree removal, occurred at Hartlen Point from early March to April 2023. Work took place within this period to avoid bird and bat breeding and migratory windows, as per the recommendation outlined in Canadian British Consulting Limited’s Bird and Bat Assessment report.
The second phase of site preparation began in April 2023 and has been extended until fall 2024. This work includes laying gravel for roadway access to the building site and grading, extending municipal services (connecting to Halifax Water) and installing culverts. To maintain progress and efficiency while design continues, additional work started this summer and is expected to be completed in late fall 2024. This includes construction of a water meter building and excavation and backfilling ahead of laying foundation. Weather permitting, foundation work may begin late fall 2024.
Studies, reports and other documentation
- Environmental Effects Determination – click here for the full-length report (English only)
- Soil Characterization by SNC Lavalin (SNCL) – click here for the full-length report (English only)
- Wetland Assessment by Canadian British Consulting Limited (CBCL) – click here for the full-length report (English only)
- Bird and Bat Assessment by Canadian British Consulting Limited (CBCL) – click here for the full-length report (English only)
- Traffic Impact Statement (Stantec) – click here for the full-length report (English only)
- The presentation from the first community engagement session held on March 3, 2022 can be found here.
- The presentation from the second community engagement session held on January 31, 2023 can be found here. A transcript of this session is available here.
- Land-Based Testing Facility site selection bulletin – click here.
Radio Frequency licensing
The project team continues working to advance Radio Frequency (RF) licensing for this project, which is an Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada requirement. The RF licensing process includes public consultation by written notification as per ISED’s public consultation process. Further updates on this process will be communicated to members of the public when available; the RF licensing process is expected to be initiated in 2025 and completed in 2027.
Project inquiries
Contact us! We welcome questions on this project at: CFBHalifaxPublicAffairs@forces.gc.ca
About the Canadian Surface Combatant Project
The Government of Canada is procuring 15 new Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) ships for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). This new fleet will upgrade and replace the capabilities of the current Halifax-class frigates and retired Iroquois-class destroyers.
The new fleet of ships will be tested and trialed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and will be known as River-class destroyers. The first three ships will be named His Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Fraser, Saint-Laurent, and Mackenzie. Further details on the construction and naming of the ships can be found here.
The new CSC ships will be built in Halifax, Nova Scotia by Irving Shipbuilding.
Lockheed Martin Canada will lead the team that will design the ships and integrate the combat management system.
About the Land-Based Testing Facility
To help bring the new CSC ships into service and support them throughout their lifecycle, the Department of National Defence (DND) is building a Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) on a portion of DND-owned land at Hartlen Point in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. This project will test and integrate the ships’ capability systems before being installed on the actual vessels.
Canada is a maritime nation, and the LBTF is an important, one-of-a-kind facility that will foster innovation and support sustainable growth in Canada’s marine industry. During construction and operation, the LBTF will contribute to the economy and to jobs and growth in the region. It is estimated that more than 10,000 Canadian jobs will be created or maintained throughout the 25-year construction period of the CSC ships, and the LBTF project is expected to sustain almost 350 jobs in the Halifax region throughout the various construction phases. Once complete, the facility will accommodate 120 full-time staff, including members of the RCN, DND employees and contractors.
DND is committed to doing its part to leave a healthy environment for future generations of Canadians and to meet the targets set in the Greening Government Strategy and the Defence Climate and Sustainability Strategy. The LBTF project at Hartlen Point will also follow DND’s Green Building Directive which targets net-zero carbon emissions.
Project Schedule
| Design-Build procurement process launched | June 2021 |
| Design contract awarded to PCL Construction | September 2021 |
| First community engagement session | March 2022 |
| Second community engagement session | January 2023 |
| Completion of environmental and traffic studies | March 2023 |
| Building design | 2022 – 2024 |
| Building early works | 2023 – 2024 |
| Building construction | 2025 – 2027 |
