Port Flagged for Federal Fast Track, but Security Concerns Have Lasted Years

A port expansion at Roberts Bank is moving forward as part of a federal fast-track review, but Delta mayor George Harvie says security and crime concerns have persisted for years. The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion project was referred last week to the major projects office to explore speeding it up, aiming to add $100 billion in annual trade capacity. The planned new terminal de tres muelles would raise the port’s container capacity by 50% and could contribute about $3 billion to Canada’s GDP each year. Harvie argued that security systems have not been upgraded to match comparable European ports and questioned how the government will prevent illicit drugs from entering or being exported via Canadian facilities. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said port security and the expansion are separate issues, while highlighting police roles in port security.