Canada has committed federal funding to upgrade the Roberts Bank Terminal at the Port of Vancouver, under a new agreement signed with British Columbia.
The Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement was signed by Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, and David Eby, Premier of British Columbia.
According to the announcement, the Roberts Bank upgrade is expected to unlock more than $100 billion in new trade capacity and add approximately $3 billion to Canada’s economy annually.
The federal government described the project as part of a broader effort to transform the Port of Vancouver-Roberts Bank trade corridor and expand the port’s capacity to ship to new export markets.
The agreement also includes the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, which will receive up to $3 billion in federal funding.
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The project will replace the existing four-lane transport tunnel along Highway 99 with a modern eight-lane tunnel, addressing what the government described as a key trade bottleneck in the Lower Mainland.
The government said the upgrade is intended to speed the movement of goods across Greater Vancouver, including cargo bound for BC Ferries to Vancouver Island.
Separately, the agreement commits Canada to working with port authorities and First Nations on the Port of Prince Rupert and the Port of Stewart, with the aim of developing both as trade corridors for Canadian goods and services, including critical minerals exports.
The government also indicated it intends to strengthen British Columbia’s maritime economy more broadly, citing plans to prioritise engagement on federal vessel programmes, including potential shipbuilding, servicing, and ship recycling sites on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland.
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Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, linked the port investments to Canada’s broader trade strategy: “Canada’s transportation network is the backbone of our economy, and British Columbia plays a critical role in moving our goods to global markets. Through this partnership, we are investing in key infrastructure to build stronger, faster, and more reliable trade corridors. This will create jobs, strengthen supply chains, and grow Canada’s economy.”
For more information:
The Canadian federal government – https://www.pm.gc.ca/en
