The Canadian government on Sept. 4 announced more than $100
million infrastructure investments aimed at improving efficiency at Port Metro
Vancouver.
“Our government's top priority remains the economy and
creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in every region of Canada,” International
Trade Minister Ed Fast said in a statement released by the port. “That’s why I
am proud to announce our government's investment which will help increase our
exports to new markets by moving goods, services and people in a more effective
manner.”
The investments are also expected to facilitate Metro
Vancouver’s trade and investment ties to fast-growing Asia-Pacific markets,
Fast said. Canada’s west coast ports, according to the federal government, are
more than two days closer to Asian markets than any other ports in North
America, a point the port and government have been making to potential
customers.
The combined investment from the national government and port
totals almost $106 million; an investment of about $50 million is being made in
two new marine container examination facilities to meet the anticipated growth
in container volume through Deltaport, British Columbia.
The Roberts Bank facility, located at the east end of the
Deltaport causeway on the Tsawwassen First Nation Industrial Lands, is expected
to open in the summer of 2015; the Burrard Inlet facility is scheduled to open
in the fall of 2015.
The facilities are planned to help reduce processing times, which
would therefore result in savings for Canadian businesses, while reducing air
and noise pollution.
Once operational, the Robert Banks facility could reduce
travel time and related emissions by a factor of 10, Port Metro Vancouver
President and CEO Robin Silvester said.
Since 2006, Canada’s federal government has invested $1.4
billion into Asia-Pacific Gateway infrastructure projects, while provincial and
municipal governments, as well the private sector, have spent an additional 2.5
billion.
