Transport Canada will conduct a review of Canada’s port authorities including the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
Minister Marc Garneau made the announcement Monday at the Deltaport container terminal. Delta MP Carla Qualtrough and other MPs were also on hand for the announcement that a series of meetings will be held with ports, Indigenous peoples, provincial and local governments as well as the marine sector.
Noting Canada’s 18 port authorities handle 60 per cent of the marine commercial cargo, and that the Vancouver port is the largest, Garneau said the review will ensure the country’s ports will be able to innovate and compete globally.
“Our 18 Canada port authorities are strategic assets. They’re important regionally, nationally, continentally and internationally, and that importance is increasing. They have seen growth of 35 per cent in the last ten years,” he said.
Garneau stressed the current port system has served the country well but faces challenges ahead including technological changes and new economic trends. The federal government’s Transportation 2030 plan will also play a role.
The findings of the review, expected in 2019, will identify potential policy, legislative and regulatory changes “to help Canada port authorities to consolidate their position as key players in the Canadian economy.”
The Fraser River, North Fraser and Vancouver port authorities amalgamated in 2008 to become a new entity called the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. It remains to be seen what kind of power or obligations the port may end up having, as well as if the review has any impact on the Terminal 2 application for Roberts Bank.
The public is also invited to provide feedback in the review. Information is available on the letstalktransportation.ca/ports-modernization-review website.
