U.S. departures add a second border on top of CATSA. HIAA’s published CBP window is 05:00–17:00, and every passenger must be processed by 16:30 regardless of the scheduled departure.

A short CATSA wait does not help a U.S. itinerary. After U.S. check-in, follow the U.S. Departures signs into preclearance. Evening U.S. metal is not a lounge night — there is no airside lounge at all while Maple Leaf is closed, and the U.S. holdroom is thinner than the main hall.

One building, two products — domestic/international via Central Security, United States via the CBP wing. Swing gates 22–24 and 26–28 become 52–54 and 56–58 when used for U.S. departures.

Connecting domestic→U.S. is a re-clear, not a stroll. International→domestic on select flights can now stay sterile through the ICF — confirm on the boarding pass / airline app, because ending passengers still walk the public international arrivals hall.

Density is better in the domestic/international hall (Tim Hortons after security from 03:30, Firkin & Flyer, Pizza Box, Connected Coffee) than after CBP.

The official dining directory splits Before Security / After Security (Domestic & International) / US Departures. Trust today’s what’s-open board — operator pages still mark some U.S. concepts as coming soon. Maple Leaf will not feed you until early 2027.

Live Priority Pass Canada lists Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Québec, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg — not Halifax. Maple Leaf is closed until early 2027.

Chase Sapphire Reserve’s lounge map can still show a Maple Leaf pin near Gate 20; that room is boarded up. Alt Hotel (covered walkway from the parkade/terminal) is the paid quiet-space workaround, not a lounge substitute on a tight connection.