On May 15, 2019, Mayor George V. Harvie presented the City of Delta’s submission at the Public Hearing for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project. Mayor Harvie delivered the following key messages:

With the projected doubling of truck traffic associated with Roberts Bank Terminal 2, any approval of the project must be contingent upon the resolution of traffic congestion at the George Massey Tunnel.

The environmental review process should be halted until there is greater scientific consensus and certainty regarding impacts on critical habitat and endangered species, namely biofilm, migratory birds, and southern resident killer whales.

In light of the changing global economy and changes in the marine shipping industry, we must ensure that Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is both needed and appropriate to address Canada’s trading needs without compromising environmental protections.

The proposal for a fourth berth at Roberts Bank should be formally assessed.

If Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is approved, key community mitigation issues include: air quality – emission reduction programs for ships, trucks, and trains, protection of agricultural land, and noise and light mitigation.

If Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is approved, steps must be taken to expedite the establishment of a world class spill response program in British Columbia before Roberts Bank Terminal 2 becomes operational.

In addition, Mayor Harvie emphasized the issue of community safety, particularly related to the port’s impact as a focal point for organized crime and drug smuggling. Increased policing resources and enhanced collaboration are required to maintain and increase container inspection rates as container throughput grows.

For more detail on the City of Delta’s work related to the proposed Roberts Bank Terminal 2, click here.