Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has reaffirmed federal support for the expansion of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project, describing it as a key investment to strengthen Canada’s economy, expand trade opportunities and reduce dependence on the United States.
Speaking during a visit to Deltaport, operated by Global Container Terminals, Carney said the Port of Vancouver already handles more cargo than the next five largest Canadian ports combined. However, he warned that existing capacity will not be sufficient to meet the country’s long-term economic ambitions.
According to Carney, Canada must expand both its port infrastructure and related transportation networks to support stronger economic growth, diversify export markets and increase trade with countries across Asia.
The federal government plans to invest more than $10 billion in the project, which is expected to help increase Canadian exports to markets outside the United States by more than 50%.
The expansion is also expected to generate some 18,000 construction jobs during the development phase and a further 17,000 permanent full-time jobs once the new port capacity is up and running. Carney added that the project would also generate economic benefits for businesses throughout Canada.
The Prime Minister’s visit follows an announcement made two weeks earlier by Steven MacKinnon, who confirmed that the federal government had referred the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 proposal to Canada’s Major Projects Office for consideration under an accelerated approval process.
The expansion, including a new three-berth container terminal, would increase the Port of Vancouver’s container handling capacity by about 50 percent.
The new infrastructure could support up to $100 billion in new annual trade capacity, MacKinnon said.
Environmental groups have been opposing the project for years, saying that the port expansion could threaten the habitat of endangered Southern Resident killer whales and other sensitive ecosystems.
Carney said the federal government is working closely with local Indigenous communities to ensure they benefit economically from the project while still maintaining strong environmental protections.
He also noted that Ottawa continues to invest in conservation programs aimed at protecting Southern Resident killer whales and Pacific salmon populations.
The federal government has confirmed that the Major Projects Office will immediately begin consultations with Indigenous communities as part of the project review process.
The Roberts Bank area is also being considered as the potential marine terminal for Alberta’s proposed West Coast oil pipeline, further increasing the strategic importance of the port expansion for Canada’s future trade infrastructure.
