Government of British Columbia issues environmental assessment certificate for Roberts Bank Terminal 2

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority welcomes the Government of British Columbia’s decision to issue an environmental assessment certificate for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project.  

Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is one of Canada’s and B.C.’s most important trade infrastructure projects, with Canada’s container trade on a long-term growth trajectory and west coast marine terminals forecast to reach capacity before the end of the decade. The future three-berth, deep-water terminal in Delta, B.C., will increase B.C.’s marine container terminal capacity by one-third, bolster national supply chains and deliver generational economic benefits including more than 17,300 ongoing jobs (FTE) and an estimated $3 billion in GDP annually once built. More than 18,000 jobs will be created during construction. 

The project will also support Indigenous reconciliation, and the port authority will continue working closely with First Nations on environmental mitigation, and training, employment and contracting opportunities, as well as ensuring project benefits are shared via mutual benefits agreements and the Indigenous Legacy Benefit Fund. 

The provincial decision announced today means the B.C. Government has now issued the project an environmental assessment certificate, along with conditions, under the Environmental Assessment Act (2002).  

The project was reviewed by the federal and provincial governments under a harmonized assessment process, with federal approval announced in April 2023 following a rigorous 10-year evaluation process and based on a comprehensive suite of mitigation measures and conditions designed to protect and enhance the environment. The federal and provincial conditions are designed to complement each other and ensure the project is built in an environmentally responsible way, with the new provincial conditions announced today focused specifically on addressing the interests of British Columbians.  

The port authority is leading Roberts Bank Terminal 2 as part of efforts to support Canada’s long-term trade needs and meet its public interest mandate to enable Canadian trade through the Port of Vancouver.  

Before construction can begin, the port authority will continue work progressing the project including obtaining other applicable approvals and permits, ongoing collaboration with First Nations, assessing market conditions, undertaking procurement, and preparing for a final investment decision.  

Visit the port authority’s website for more information about Roberts Bank Terminal 2.