What Happened

Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced on Thursday that the Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy has been referred to the Major Projects Office for possible fast-tracking. The referral supports Canada's broader economic goal of doubling exports to non-U.S. markets by 2035. The strategy's first key pillar focuses on the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project in Delta, B.C.

Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is proposed as a three-berth container terminal designed to increase the port's container capacity by 50%. The project is expected to enable $100 billion of new container trade capacity annually. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2027, with operations starting in the mid-2030s.

The announcement was made in Tsawwassen, where Federal Minister of Veterans Affairs Jill McKnight, Provincial Minister of Transportation Mike Farnworth, and Laura Cassidy, Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation, were present. Peter Xotta, President and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, also attended the event.

Why It Matters

The referral to the Major Projects Office is a significant regulatory step for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project. This federal office has a mandate to streamline regulatory approval and advance major infrastructure projects. Fast-tracking the Gateway Strategy could accelerate the timeline for Roberts Bank Terminal 2, which is critical for maintaining the port's competitiveness.

The Port of Vancouver currently moves $1 billion in goods every day and handles 40% of Canada's trade in goods beyond North America. Doubling exports to non-U.S. markets by 2035 requires substantial infrastructure upgrades to handle increased volume. The 50% capacity increase from Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is central to this national economic strategy.

Local Vancouver / Burnaby Context

The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project is located in Delta, B.C., directly adjacent to Metro Vancouver. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority selected the TerraMarine consortium to complete the land reclamation for the terminal, which will create 320 acres of new land. This project is one of Canada's largest trade infrastructure developments.

While the port is a major economic driver for the region, the Gateway Strategy focuses on industrial and trade capacity rather than residential housing. The project's timeline, with construction starting in late 2027 and operations in the mid-2030s, will influence regional logistics and employment patterns. The presence of Tsawwassen First Nation leadership highlights the importance of Indigenous engagement in major developments on traditional territories.