Halifax
British naval counter to Louisbourg in 1749; largest CFB by personnel today. Irving Shipbuilding won $35B warship contract in 2011—Canada's largest shipbuilding project. By 2026: what happens when the destroyers are delivered?
Halifax exists because the British needed a naval counter to Louisbourg. In 1749, General Edward Cornwallis founded the settlement on one of the world's largest and deepest ice-free natural harbours—the perfect location to protect fishing grounds, furs, and imperial interests from the French. The Mi'kmaq had occupied these coastal areas seasonally for generations; the territorial struggle had begun in the 16th century.
Halifax is a navy creation. The Royal Naval Dockyard remained under British control until 1906, when Canada took over. Today, CFB Halifax is the largest Canadian Forces Base by personnel, home to the Royal Canadian Navy's Atlantic fleet. But the city's military-industrial complex extends beyond uniforms: Irving Shipbuilding's Halifax Shipyard, founded in 1889, won a $35 billion contract in 2011 to build 23 warships over 20 years—Canada's largest shipbuilding project in history. Irving now employs over 2,100 shipbuilders and has invested $49 million in training since 2015.
The shipyard's impact ripples across the country: $12 billion in spending commitments to 678 Canadian organizations, $9.5 billion in labour income, and 9,400 full-time jobs annually—4,300 in Nova Scotia alone. Beyond defence, Halifax diversified in the late 20th century: Dalhousie University anchors education and healthcare, and offshore oil and gas emerged as a growth driver.
By 2026, Halifax faces the question of what happens when the warship contracts mature. The Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships are being delivered; the River-class destroyers follow. Whether the shipbuilding skills transfer to commercial work, or whether Halifax returns to being primarily a government and education town, will determine the city's next chapter.