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Container inspection facility to be built on Tsawwassen First Nation land

Federal and Port Metro Vancouver officials were at the Tsawwassen First Nation Wednesday for a major border security funding announcement.
TFN container inspection facility
Tsawwassen First Nation Chief Bryce Williams (left), International Trade Minister Ed Fast, Port Metro Vancouver president Robin Silvester and MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay (right) announced Wednesday a container inspection facility will be constructed on TFN land.

Federal and Port Metro Vancouver officials were at the Tsawwassen First Nation Wednesday for a major border security funding announcement. 

Part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan, an initiative announced last year by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama, a new marine container inspection facility is to be constructed on a 4.4-hectare (11-acre) site owned by the TFN.

Another will be constructed on Port Metro Vancouver property at Burrard, Inlet for a total combined port and government investment of nearly $106 million.

The government will provide funding to staff and equip the two facilities, aimed at improving the flow of goods.

Located at the east end of the Deltaport causeway, the Tsawwassen inspection facility is to open in the fall of 2015.

"Our government's top priority remains the economy and creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in every region of Canada," said Minister of International Trade Ed Fast at the announcement. "That's why I am proud to announce our government's investment which will help increase our exports to new markets by moving goods, services and people in a more effective manner.

"These investments will also facilitate our growing trade and investment ties to fast-growing Asia-Pacific markets and build on our competitive advantages."

Robin Silvester, president and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver, explained the TFN facility is to be a site for more detailed container inspections for cargo arriving from offshore.

He said it would help reduce processing times, resulting in savings, and make Canada the "gateway of choice" for North American trade with Asia.

Federal and Port Metro Vancouver officials were at the Tsawwassen First Nation Wednesday for a major border security funding announcement. 

Part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan, an initiative announced last year by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama, a new marine container inspection facility is to be constructed on a 4.4-hectare (11-acre) site owned by the TFN.

Another will be constructed on Port Metro Vancouver property at Burrard, Inlet for a total combined port and government investment of nearly $106 million.

- See more at: http://www.delta-optimist.com/container-inspection-facility-to-be-built-on-tsawwassen-first-nation-land-1.612460#sthash.SgsFFCc5.dpuf

"Once operational, the facility will reduce travel time and related emissions by a factor of 10 and since the facility is located on TFN lands, it is anticipated that there will be both construction and full-time employment opportunities available to TFN members," Silvester said.

Also on hand at Wednesday's announcement were Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, who said the new inspection site will help improve the anticipated growth in container volume traffic at Deltaport, as well as TFN Chief Bryce Williams.

Williams said the container inspection facility will help position his First Nation's Tsawwassen Logistics Park as the location of choice for the supply chain sector in the Lower Mainland, adding the TFN's geographic position is ideal.

"Prior to the treaty, we were not able to benefit from the development on our land and around our territory. The announcement we are celebrating today is not just about an inspection facility, we're here to celebrate the reconciliation and continued reintegration into both the regional and global economies to benefit all parties," Williams said.

The TFN membership approved providing a 60-year lease for the new inspection facility.

The First Nation's total industrial land base comprises around 132 hectares (330 acres). The TFN is currently in discussion or negotiating deals involving about 28 hectares (70 acres).

A potential tenant on those industrial lands is a waste-to-energy garbage incinerator, a project backed by Aquilini Renewable Energy, owned by Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini. That project, competing with a number of other sites, is still in Metro Vancouver's application and review stage.