Movement of goods

Who decides what moves through the Port of Vancouver?

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is mandated under the Canada Marine Act to facilitate Canada’s trade in a way that ensures the safe movement of goods. At the same time, we are required to ensure our operations are sustainable and to consider local communities.

Just as airport authorities do not set immigration policy, Canadian port authorities do not have the legal authority to decide what goods Canada trades. Our elected government officials make these decisions.

Port authorities are legally mandated to ensure whatever goods are traded are done so safely and efficiently within the physical limits of federal port lands.

Every proposed project on port lands must go through a project and environmental review. Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is a federal authority with environmental decision-making responsibilities under section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act. Prior to carrying out any project, exercising a power or performing a function or duty in relation to any proposed project, we must first determine that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.