Ottawa has thrown its full weight behind one of Canada’s biggest port projects. On October 30, Transport Canada announced in Delta, B.C. that Roberts Bank Terminal 2 has been designated a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act — only the second such designation, after the Pacific Link oil pipeline named on October 1.
The three-berth container terminal at Tsawwassen would add roughly 2.4 million TEUs of annual capacity, lifting the Port of Vancouver’s container capacity by about 50%. The project is now estimated at C$5.9 billion, up from about C$3.5 billion five years ago, excluding financing costs. Fast-tracked approvals could bring commercial operations forward from 2039 to 2035, with a final investment decision targeted for mid-2027 and the approval process to be completed by September 1, 2027.
The government’s case is economic urgency. Federal projections — framed as projections — put the payoff at about 17,000 supply-chain jobs, C$3 billion a year in GDP contribution and C$630 million a year in tax revenue. Without the expansion, the government says congestion could drive shipping costs above C$800 million a year by 2035. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the designation gives “greater certainty to move it forward and build a stronger, more efficient trade gateway on the West Coast,” while Prime Minister Mark Carney said the move would “better connect our economy with the world and diversify our trade.”
The environmental file is substantial. Nearly C$2 billion has been earmarked for environmental protection, including measures for Pacific salmon and the Southern Resident Killer Whales. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is leading the project, with TerraMarine named as the preferred construction partner, and B.C. premier-elect Lorne Doerkson was present at the announcement to welcome it.
The project was referred to the Major Projects Office in July, and the national-interest designation now puts Ottawa’s fastest approval machinery behind it. If the timeline holds, construction decisions made next summer will decide whether B.C.’s west coast trade gateway opens four years ahead of schedule.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.