The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority began a comprehensive engagement process about the project in 2011, early in project development and prior to the initiation of the environmental assessment process. We conducted four rounds of public engagement, and have participated in hundreds of project-related meetings and workshops with regulators, Indigenous groups, government, stakeholders, and the general public. The feedback we have received has served to enhance the project design and inform our mitigation measures, including additional offsetting measures that have been identified through Indigenous consultation, such as the Tilbury Enhancement Project and the removal of the intermediate transfer pit from the project design.
Below is a high-level overview of our consultation and engagement to date.
2011:
- First round of public consultation: Pre-consultation (June 2011)
- Ongoing consultation with Indigenous groups
- Local government outreach and engagement
2012:
- Second round of public consultation: Project definition consultation (October–November 2012)
- Ongoing consultation with Indigenous groups
- Local government outreach and engagement
2013:
- Third round of public consultation: Pre-design consultation (October–November 2013)
- Ongoing consultation with Indigenous groups
- Local government outreach and engagement
2014:
- Fourth round of public consultation: Preliminary environmental mitigation concepts consultation (September–October 2014)
- Ongoing consultation with Indigenous groups
- Local government outreach and engagement
2015 to Present
- Ongoing consultation with Indigenous groups
- Local government outreach and engagement
- Ongoing engagement with the Delta community through the Delta Community Office
- To develop our response to the federal government’s August 2020 information request, we conducted more than a year of additional technical work, consultation with 46 Indigenous groups, and engagement with federal agencies. We incorporated contributions from over 50 experts, conducted over 200 one-on-one meetings with Indigenous groups, and organized 16 multi-group workshops to consult on our response.
Indigenous consultation
We commenced project-related consultation with Indigenous groups in 2011, and have consulted with 46 Indigenous groups as directed by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. Our comprehensive, multi-phased consultation program has allowed for the integration of Indigenous knowledge throughout all phases of project development, including into project design, mitigation measures, environmental management plans, and follow-up program elements, and broader economic opportunities.
We are also negotiating mutual benefit agreements with Indigenous groups to ensure that benefits of the project are shared. At this time, we have agreements with many Indigenous groups who have expressed their support or consent for the project on the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s public registry. We are extremely proud of this progress and believe it speaks to our commitment to build positive, long-lasting relationships with these communities. We are continuing our discussions on benefits with those groups without agreements.
Consultation will continue throughout the environmental assessment process and permitting of the project and, should the project proceed, into construction and operation.
Engaging the public
In 2011, the port authority sought input regarding how participants wanted to be engaged and what topics should be addressed. Throughout the early phases of the project, we learned the public was interested in the following topics: elements of project design, topics of environmental studies, potential project effects, and draft environmental mitigation concepts.
Input received during engagement has been considered, along with technical and economic information, in the development of the project and the environmental impact statement. View our engagement materials, including discussion guides, consultation summary reports, and consideration memos.
Working with local governments
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Local and Regional Government Outreach and Engagement Program set out a program of engagement with local and regional governments regarding the project. Below is an overview:
- The Local Government Elected Roundtable, established in 2012, provided a forum for the port authority and elected officials to discuss community interests, issues, and benefits related to the project. The committee included representatives from the City of Delta, City of Langley, Township of Langley, City of Richmond, City of Surrey, Metro Vancouver, Tsawwassen First Nation, and the port authority.
- The Mayors’ Roundtable – South of Fraser was formed in 2017 after feedback from mayors and elected officials who wished to discuss a broader range of topics. The committee included mayors from the City of Delta, City of Langley, Township of Langley, and City of Richmond; the chair of Metro Vancouver; the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation; and a member of the executive team of the port authority.
- The Local Government Technical Liaison Committees facilitated regular communication between project staff and staff from the City of Delta, City of Langley, Township of Langley, City of Richmond, and City of Surrey. These meetings allowed members of the committees to share technical information, issues, and interests regarding the project.
The port authority also created the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project Working Group Process to provide a forum to meet collectively with representatives from federal, provincial, local, and regional governments, and Indigenous groups. The focus of the working group meetings was to provide an opportunity for the port authority to present and receive questions and feedback from group members on our proposed assessment approach.
Summary reports and records of meetings from the port authority’s engagement with local government are available here.
