The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority remains committed to continuing dialogue with the City of Delta.
That’s what the port authority says in a statement following Delta council’s decision this week to send a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson asking the proposed Terminal 2 project at Roberts Bank not be approved.
A report to council notes Delta had previously asked that the environmental assessment process be halted or a decision postponed until issues of concern have been resolved.
With the release of the review panel report, it is apparent that many of those issues have not been resolved, according to Delta staff.
The port authority, however, said it’s important to clarify the environmental assessment process as the federally appointed independent review panel heard evidence and earlier this year provided its report to government.
Now, the federal government is developing draft conditions based on the panel’s report, but the City of Delta’s vote on Monday was taken before the draft conditions have been released for public comment, an important step in the process.
The port notes it looks forward to an opportunity to review and discuss those conditions, and demonstrate how the city’s concerns can be addressed.
“While we are disappointed the mayor has not taken us up on our standing offer to meet with him to discuss the proposed RBT2 Project, we remain committed to continuing dialogue with the city,” the port states.
“We know, based on nine years of public consultation and engagement and conversations at our Delta Community Office, that there is much positive feedback in the community and region for our work and this project. The city of Delta benefits annually from $1 billion in economic activity, nearly $8 million in municipal property taxes, and 4,800 well-paying family supporting jobs, as a result of port activity. These benefits would significantly increase if the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project were to proceed.
At a time when municipalities are looking for new revenue sources, the project would inject $20 million in local government tax revenue during the six-year construction period and $34 million in local government tax revenue annually, not to mention the additional benefits that would come from thousands of on-terminal jobs located at the city of Delta. The independent review panel report affirmed the need for the project and, contrary to the city’s report, did review alternative means.”
The port notes it has heard support from organizations like the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, B.C. Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Shipping, Shipping Federation of Canada, and many other stakeholders, in addition to the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan, who recognize the project’s national importance to the economy, as well as the port’s ability to protect the environment at Roberts Bank.
“We are committed to ensuring that port operations, including expansions, can be done in a way that protects the local environment, while ensuring that Delta residents and all Canadians can benefit from the opportunities that come from increased trade with Asia. We will continue to have conversations with and listen to members of the community to ensure that the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project addresses local concerns and will contribute to a strong economic and environmental legacy.”
