Carney Backs Port Expansion Plan for Economic Independence

Prime Minister Mark Carney has thrown his support behind an ambitious plan to expand the Port of Vancouver's Roberts Bank Terminal, calling it a 'tremendous opportunity' to strengthen Canada's independence and resilience. The proposed expansion aims to increase the port's container capacity by 50% through the addition of a new three-berth terminal.

The project has been referred to Canada's Major Projects Office for possible fast-tracking, with Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announcing that Ottawa would invest around $10 billion to help expand the port and grow exports away from the US. According to Carney, this investment will enable over $100 billion in new trade capacity annually.

While environmentalists have long expressed concerns about the impact of the expansion on the habitat of endangered southern resident killer whales, Carney emphasized that Ottawa is working with local First Nations to share in the economic benefits and ensure environmental protections. The project also includes a plan for the Alberta West Coast oil pipeline proposal to terminate at Roberts Bank.