Cantech Letter logo

Roberts Bank Terminal 2 listed as a project of national interest to strengthen Canada’s trade sovereignty

Transport Canada - Ottawa
Friday at 5:59pm ADT · October 30, 2026 8 min read

DELTA, BC, Oct. 30, 2026 /CNW/ — The world is increasingly more uncertain. Geopolitical tension is reshaping trade, supply chains are under pressure, and there is an increased global competition for capital, and market access. That is why Canada’s government is focused on building an economy that is less reliant on a single partner, and more resilient to global shocks. As part of this plan, we are pursuing an ambitious goal to double exports to non-U.S. markets by 2035.

To do that, Canada needs the infrastructure essential to exporting Canadian goods to the world. Modern ports are crucial to this mission. They move goods quickly, attract investment, and ensure Canada competes in a rapidly changing global economy.

That is why today, the Government of Canada is officially listing Roberts Bank Terminal 2 as a project of national interest.

Today’s listing recognizes the project’s critical role in expanding and diversifying Canada’s trade capacity, and building the infrastructure required to support our long-term prosperity. It provides the immediate regulatory certainty needed to build this vital piece of Canadian infrastructure at the Port of Vancouver, maintains rigorous environmental safeguards and will be done in meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities. The successful execution of Roberts Bank Terminal 2 will be led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA), who is the proponent for RBT2.

Through collaboration with the Major Projects Office, the VFPA, and other federal partners, RBT2, a $5.9 billion investment in Canada’s trade infrastructure, is on a viable path to Final Investment Decision (FID) by mid-2027. Today’s listing decision provides upfront certainty on the remaining applicable federal regulatory authorizations, and accelerates the project’s commercial operations by up to four years, from 2039 to 2035.

This decision marks a major milestone in the implementation of the Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy, ensuring Canadian businesses can reach global customers through Canadian infrastructure. As Canada’s largest port and the primary gateway to Indo-Pacific markets, the Port of Vancouver plays a vital role in Canada’s economy.

Roberts Bank Terminal 2 will:

Strengthen Canada’s economic sovereignty and expand trade by:

  • Adding 2.4 million containers of annual capacity at Canada’s largest port.
  • Increasing container capacity at the Port of Vancouver by approximately 50 per cent.
  • Supporting up to $100 billion in annual trade.
  • Helping Canada achieve its goal of doubling non-U.S. exports by 2035, and is integral to ensuring Canadian sovereignty and control over key economic linkages to the rest of the world.

Prevent costly bottlenecks and strengthen competitiveness by:

  • Addressing forecasted capacity shortfalls at a critical trade gateway.
  • Reducing congestion and improving the movement of goods across the Canadian supply chain.
  • Avoiding roughly $800-900 million in annual shipping and transportation costs passed on to Canadians that could result from capacity constraints.
  • Improving reliability for businesses moving goods to domestic and international markets.

Create high-paying Canadian careers and drive economic growth in Canada by:

  • Supporting roughly 17,000 jobs across Canada’s supply chains.
  • Contributing approximately $3 billion annually to Canada’s GDP.
  • Generating more than $630 million in annual tax revenues.

Lower costs for Canadians and move goods faster by:

  • Saving Canadians roughly $1 billion annually in shipping related costs by investing in rail networks, logistics facilities, and port modernisation.
  • Cutting delivery times between Vancouver and Toronto by approximately 17 per cent.
  • Reducing container import costs by up to 25 per cent.

Advance responsible development by:

  • Maintaining rigorous environmental protections and existing conditions from the federal environmental assessment.
  • Creating training, procurement, employment, and business opportunities for Indigenous communities through 27 Mutual Benefit Agreements.

The Government of Canada is protecting our oceans and marine life that depend on them by:

  • Investing nearly $2B to protect fish and fish habitat, marine mammals, Pacific salmon, Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW), and other species at risk.
  • Supporting broader investments in marine conservation and strengthen Canada’s ocean ecosystems.
  • Establishing a Conservation Agreement with BC Ferries that includes an objective to reduce underwater radiated noise from BC Ferries vessels in SRKW habitat by 50 per cent by 2036.
  • Setting a new interim underwater noise objective within SRKW critical habitat, focused on maintaining 2023 underwater noise levels while working through reductions over time. This work will support the development and implementation of future actions to further reduce underwater noise and support the survival and recovery of SRKW.

Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is a nation-building investment that will contribute to Canada meeting growing global demand, strengthen our economic sovereignty, and diversify our trade exports in an increasingly uncertain world. Together with complimentary infrastructure, RBT2 will help Canada export with the world, because Canada has what the world wants. It will reduce costs for businesses and consumers, and create the conditions for long-term economic prosperity for decades to come.

Quotes

“Canada is working. By listing Roberts Bank Terminal 2 as a project of national interest, we are better connecting our economy with the world and diversifying our trade. As the world competes for capital, Canada will not wait. We are building a stronger, more independent, and more competitive Canadian economy.” 

— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

“Getting goods to market quickly and reliably is essential to Canada’s economic success. Roberts Bank Terminal 2 will add much-needed capacity at our largest port, reduce bottlenecks and strengthen the transportation links Canadian businesses count on. Listing this project as a project of national interest gives us greater certainty to move it forward and build a stronger, more efficient trade gateway on the West Coast.”

–The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

“Advancing projects of national interest like Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is about bringing Canada together around shared economic opportunities to build a stronger, more connected and prosperous country. By strengthening our trade infrastructure and connecting Canadian businesses to markets around the world, we will create thousands of jobs, attract investment and reinforce Canada’s economic sovereignty. This is how we build a more competitive and resilient economy that delivers lasting prosperity for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.”

–The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy

“The future of Canada’s trade economy runs through Delta and Tsawwassen First Nation. Roberts Bank Terminal 2 will create lasting prosperity for local families and businesses while advancing rigorous environmental protections and Indigenous partnerships that are essential to building a stronger future for all.”

–The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

“Today’s listing decision is an important milestone for Roberts Bank Terminal 2 and for Canada. This nation-building project will unlock $100 billion in new trade capacity, create tens of thousands of jobs and strengthen Canada’s ability to reach markets around the world. At a time when expanding and diversifying our trade has never been more important, we’re excited to keep moving Roberts Bank Terminal 2 forward and build the capacity Canada needs for the future.”  

–Peter Xotta, President and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

Quick Facts

  • RBT2 will increase the Port of Vancouver’s container capacity by approximately 50 per cent and add 2.4 million units of annual container capacity. The additional capacity could support approximately $100 billion in trade annually.
  • The project is expected to contribute approximately $3 billion annually to Canada’s GDP during operations, generate approximately $631 million annually in tax revenues, and support approximately 17,000 jobs across the supply chain.
  • Without new capacity, Canadians could face between $800 million $900 million annually in additional shipping costs beginning as early as 2031.
  • Since 2016, the Government of Canada has invested more than $3.2 billion in regional measures to protect oceans and marine life on Canada’s West Coast.
  • BC Ferries is partnering with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada on measures intended to reduce underwater noise and other impacts on at-risk whales in B.C. coastal waters. This agreement is a significant step towards reducing and mitigating underwater radiated noise from BC Ferries’ vessels and reducing the risk of vessel strikes to at-risk whales.
  • The VFPA has selected TerraMarine as the preferred construction partner for RBT2, following a competitive procurement process.
  • The Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy is focused on four pillars: container capacity expansion, bulk terminal and industrial land development, rail expansion and optimization, and enhanced environmental protections.
  • The estimated capital cost for RBT2 is $5.9 billion excluding financing costs.
  • The Building Canada Act Project Registry is the Government of Canada’s official source of information on national interest listed projects under Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act. Once listed under the Act, project information will be posted within 30 days.

Related products

Associated Links

SOURCE Transport Canada – Ottawa

displaying rededs