Question Period Note: Roberts Bank Terminal 2, British Columbia

Roberts Bank Terminal 2, British Columbia

My department is actively participating in the environmental assessment for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project.

Protecting our aquatic ecosystems while considering economic interests of communities who rely on these industries for their livelihoods is a priority for our government.

My department will continue to undertake meaningful consultation with Indigenous peoples and stakeholders as well as continue our work to ensure that fish, marine mammals, and their habitats are protected.

Southern Resident Killer Whale
Our government is committed to the protection of Canada’s resident killer whales and to the recovery of these populations.

We will continue to work in partnership with Indigenous peoples, key stakeholders, international partners and the Province of British Columbia on immediate actions to reduce the impact of marine shipping and assist in the recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale.

Our Government has advanced initiatives to address the three key threats to the Southern Resident Killer Whale through the $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan, the $167.4-million Whales Initiative and $61.5 million in additional measures specific to the Southern Resident Killer Whale.

• On September 24, 2021, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) submitted its final response to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change’s information request. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) anticipates holding a 60 day public comment period for the VFPA’s response beginning at the last week of November 2021.
• On August 25, 2020, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change requested that the VFPA provide additional information in order to inform his decisions under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. The information request was posted on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry and has paused the federal timelines until the information provided by the proponent satisfies the information request.
• A Species at Risk Act (SARA)-compliant Fisheries Act authorization would be required for construction of the terminal associated with the project in Southern Resident Killer Whale Critical Habitat, should the proponent receive a favourable environmental assessment decision under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012.
• Prior to considering issuance of a SARA s. 73 permit, the Minister must be of the opinion that s. 73(3) pre-conditions are met, including that the activity will not jeopardize the survival or recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale. There is uncertainty over whether these pre-conditions can be met.
• As this is not the only project in the same area that would introduce new acoustic and physical disturbances, consideration of cumulative effects will be important when decisions on this project are contemplated.
• On March 27, 2020, the Review Panel submitted its report on the project. It concluded that the project is likely to cause numerous significant adverse environmental effects taking into account the implementation of mitigation measures.
• VFPA proposes to construct and operate a new three-berth container terminal at Roberts Bank in the Fraser River Estuary in British Columbia. The project would be adjacent to the existing terminals. The proponent has stated that the new terminal would handle up to 260 container ships per year (520 ship movements) by 2030.

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