Environmental groups opposed to B.C. port expansion hold rally ahead of court date

Environmental groups that launched a legal challenge against a port expansion in B.C. are heading to court Monday morning.

Environmental groups that launched a legal challenge against a port expansion in B.C. are heading to court Monday morning.

Over the last year, the coalition has called for the federal government to change course from its plan to build a new terminal at Roberts Bank, which they say will have severe impacts on marine life.

In the spring of 2023, the group raised concerns that the terminal would disrupt “critical habitat” for roughly 70 endangered south resident killer whales.

Ecojustice, the law organization representing the group, said the construction would go against the Species at Risk Act.

The federal government approved the project in April 2023, subject to 370 legally binding conditions to protect local environments and species that may be impacted by the expansion.

The Vancouver Port Authority believes the project will add an additional 50 per cent capacity, and without it, would cost the Canadian GDP $3 billion due to bottlenecks and space constraints.

In September, the province also issued the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority an environmental assessment certificate, which followed the federal approval.