43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021e-2828e-2828 (Environment)RogerEmsleyPaulManlyNanaimo—LadysmithGreen PartyBCSeptember 3, 2020, at 3:15 p.m. (EDT)December 2, 2020, at 3:15 p.m. (EDT)December 9, 2020January 25, 2021December 2, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Vancouver Fraser Port Authority wants to build another container terminal on Roberts Bank, Delta B.C. in the Fraser River estuary, requiring a new man-made island the size of 150 football fields, plus expansion of an existing causeway and enlarged tug basin;Roberts Bank is an ecologically productive, sensitive area on the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds, adjacent to an internationally recognized site of wetlands importance and critical habitat for the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales;Large salmon runs migrate through Roberts Bank;It is adjacent to the Tsawwassen First Nation, close to the Tsawwassen and Ladner communities with more than 50,000 residents;It infringes upon aboriginal and treaty rights;The $3.5 billion projected cost makes it the most expensive container terminal anywhere;BC’s West Coast terminals currently have capacity to handle over 6 million containers per year. Planned expansions will add millions more, providing capacities exceeding 10 million containers by 2030, enough for Canada’s trading needs for many years; andThe federally appointed environmental assessment panel’s March 2020 report noted numerous adverse residual and cumulative effects, insufficient compensation in its offsetting plan and significant adverse and cumulative effects on wetlands and wetland functions.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Maintain the environmental integrity of the Roberts Bank ecosystem;2. Protect the Pacific Flyway and its Roberts Bank migration stopover, critical to Western Sandpipers and millions of other shorebirds;3. Protect endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, Great Blue Herons, and other wildlife that rely on Roberts Bank; and4. Deny approval of the Roberts Bank Container Terminal 2 Project.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONThank you for your petition dated December 9, 2020, regarding the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project (the Project).As you are aware, the Project is subject to an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA?2012). The assessment was conducted by an independent expert Review Panel (the Panel). The Panel completed its review of the Project and issued its report on March 27, 2020.As part of its review, the Panel considered the potential environmental effects of the Project, including how marine shipping would impact the area, as well as potential effects on birds, orcas and salmon, and cumulative effects that are likely to result from the Project. Furthermore, the Panel reviewed the Project’s potential economic, social and health effects.After considering the Panel’s Report and consulting with expert federal departments, the Minister determined that additional information is required from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (the Proponent) to inform the Minister’s decisions on whether the Project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.The Port Authority must provide additional information related to effects to Indigenous peoples, as well as to biofilm, migratory birds, fish and fish habitat, and Southern Resident Killer Whales.This information request pauses the federal timeline for decision-making.Once the Minister is satisfied that the requested information has been provided, the federal timeline will resume. The Port Authority’s responses to the information request will be posted to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) will then host a public comment period and seek input on the Port?Authority’s responses. Additionally, the Agency will post the draft potential conditions online—a document outlining conditions that the Proponent must comply with to move forward with the Project. The public will be invited to submit comments on this document as well.The next step will be for the Minister to make decisions on the significance of effects under CEAA 2012. The decisions will be based on science, facts and evidence, and informed by meaningful Indigenous consultation. 
Environmental protectionMigratory behaviourPorts and harboursRoberts BankShipping containersWest coast of Canada
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 16, 2020e-2800e-2800 (Business and trade)KeelanGreenSukhDhaliwalSurrey—NewtonLiberalBCAugust 25, 2020, at 3:11 p.m. (EDT)September 24, 2020, at 3:11 p.m. (EDT)September 28, 2020November 16, 2020September 25, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The current Canadian port governance model is being examined through the Port Modernization Review launched by the Government of Canada in 2018;Trade through the Asia-Pacific Gateway helps to create the jobs and growth that support Canada’s quality of life. Therefore, getting the appropriate container port capacity for Canada right is important;Currently, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is advancing its own project to build a new container terminal island and has demonstrated bias by excluding review of other proposed container terminal projects;A fair process is needed to ensure the right approach is taken to adding container port capacity on Canada’s West Coast and, in particular, at Roberts Bank in Delta, BC;That fair process should ensure additional container port capacity is added in the most environmentally-conscious way, minimizing both the size and environmental impact of the expansion as much as possible;That fair process should ensure additional container port capacity is added in the most cost-effective way, ensuring continued competitiveness of the Asia-Pacific Gateway and leveraging private sector investment instead of putting public funds at risk; andThat fair process should ensure the expansion plans put forward by proven Canadian container terminal operators are given proper consideration.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to ensure a fair, open, transparent and competitive process towards container port expansion on Canada’s West Coast and, in particular, at Roberts Bank in Delta.
Response by the Minister of TransportSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marc GarneauPorts are vital links in the supply chain and gateways that bring goods to market, making them an important part of Canada’s economy. All aspects of the Canadian transportation supply chain, including shippers, carriers, logistics companies, natural resource firms, and local and regional small- and medium-sized businesses, are in some way connected to the work that happens at ports every day.Through the Ports Modernization Review, Transport Canada is reviewing Canada Port Authorities with an aim of increasing their ability to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth through effective governance and innovative operations. The Canada Port Authority system has served Canada well by supporting regional economic development and international commerce. However, over the past 20 years, the operating landscape has changed greatly, and it will likely continue to change at a greater pace. These changes mean new challenges and opportunities. Transport Canada is examining Canada Port Authorities to ensure that Canada continues to be well-positioned to innovate and compete.Canada Port Authorities are federally incorporated, autonomous, non-share corporations that operate at arm’s length from the federal government. They operate on a commercial basis with a view to being financially self-sufficient. They also fulfil important public policy objectives, such as supporting economic development, and regulatory requirements related to safety, security, and environmental protection.Their corporate structure strikes a balance between commercial autonomy and limitations in the name of control and accountability for the use of public assets. This model aligns commercial, private sector orientation and freedom of operations, with public policy objectives.In general, Canada Port Authorities manage port lands as set out in their Letters Patent. The Canada Marine Act does not give Government the power to direct, influence or intervene in their day-to-day operations. Canada Port Authorities are governed by independent board of directors, which are responsible for overseeing a port’s operations, as well as determining a port’s strategic and investment plans, including major capital projects.As set out in the Canada Marine Act, Canada Port Authorities must be financially self-sufficient. They don’t receive federal funding to meet operating costs or deficits. Canada Port Authorities finance their capital projects using their own revenues. But they can also partner with the private sector, borrow from a commercial lender or apply for certain federal grants related to infrastructure, the environment or security.Marine terminal expansions, subject to meeting specific criteria, are required to undergo an impact assessment pursuant to Canada’s Impact Assessment Act. In keeping with the department’s obligations under this Act, Transport Canada’s relevant specialist knowledge and expertise is made available to inform the review of marine terminal expansion projects. This expertise contributes to achieving the purpose of a project’s review, which is to establish a fair, predictable and efficient process that enhances Canada’s competitiveness, encourages innovation and creates opportunities for sustainable economic development.
CompetitionPorts and harboursShipping containersWest coast of Canada