On June 4, 2009 the ceremony of signing a Memorandum on Cooperation between Odesa Sea Trade Port (Ukraine) and Port of Halifax (Canada) took place in the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada. On behalf of the Port of Halifax the Memorandum was signed be the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port Karen Oldfield.

During the ceremony Speaker of Senate of Canada The Honorable Noël A. Kinsella, MP Joy Smith and President of Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce Zenon Potichny delivered their speeches. Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada Ihor Ostash as well as the other speakers emphasized that signing of Memorandum on Cooperation between the "Atlantic Gates of Canada" and "Maritime Gates of Ukraine" would promote trade and economic relations between Ukraine and Canada.

The ceremony was attended by the Senator Honorable Raynell Andreychuk, MP representing Halifax Megan Leslie, MP, Head of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group Mark Warawa, MP Peter Goldring, Director General for Europe of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada Robert Hage, Director (Investment and Trade) of the Greater Halifax Partnership and Executive Director of the Halifax Gateway Council Nancy Phillips.