“The new facility we’re building is going to generate hundreds of new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in additional visitor spending over the coming decades,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “A modern pre-clearance terminal will make travel more convenient for tourists, while enhancing security and trade between Vancouver Island and Washington State.”

As an international gateway for goods, services, and passengers, the new terminal will help drive regional and provincial economic growth.

​Travellers spend approximately $174 million annually, generating $268 million in economic output and $155 million in provincial gross domestic product.

There are many partners assisting with the project. Minister of Tourism Randy Boissonnault was on site to announce that the federal government has committed to $41.6 million on a $303.9 million budget. Inner Harbour stakeholders, the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, will work in concert with the province as will Black Ball Ferry Line and FRS Clipper to ensure that this gateway showcases our region and welcomes our visitors.

Procurement on this project will begin in the coming weeks with Phase 1 targeted for a 2024 completion. The Chamber has long advocated for this key infrastructure project to proceed and we look forward to welcoming more U.S. guests to our wonderful city.

Canada’s west coast ports handle over $800 million worth of cargo, including agri-foods, perishable goods, potash, critical minerals and household necessities every day. Experts have warned that the strike will fan the flames of inflation and increase economic instability for business. A worry backed by the studies from the Canadian Chamber Business Data Lab, where nearly a quarter of businesses have stated that supply chain issues remain a key obstacle to growth.

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is in Vancouver meeting with both parties
and encouraging continued negotiation as “the best deals for both parties are reached at the table.” Sporadic work stoppages on the U.S. West Coast have concluded after acting Labour Secretary Julie Su worked with both sides to negotiate a six-year contract for the 22,000 workers at 29 U.S. West Coast ports. 

In conjunction with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, over 120 chambers and boards of trade across the country – including ours – issued a joint letter to the Prime Minister urging the federal government to find a resolution urgently.

“We know we have disrupted the forest, the house of the wildlife, and we would like to be part of restoring ‘the house’,” indicated Chief Planes. “We need to be able to have all living beings living in a healthy way and we can learn from our ancestors how to restore the land. That is our birthright.”

The goal of the funding is to preserve the biodiversity of Vancouver Island, ensuring its longevity for future generations. The Indigenous-led Westcoast Stewardship Corridor is a collaborative initiative among local First Nations on Vancouver Island and is grounded in the Nuu-chah-nulth guiding principles of Hishuk’ish tsawalk (interconnectedness), Uu-a-thluk (the responsibility to take care of), Łisaak (respect for all things living and non-living), and the Coast Salish principle of Naut’sa mawt (together as one).
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T’Sou-ke Nation: Member since 2021

“This is part of a high-level approach to prioritize a green economy by working in collaboration with First Nations to identify low carbon economic opportunities in energy, electricity, mining, forestry and clean technology sectors,” said Chief Don Tom, vice president of the BC Union of Indian Chiefs.

“As part of the collaboration framework being released today, Canada, British Columbia, and First Nation partners have agreed to collaborate on aligning regulatory permitting processes that will aim to result in faster decisions, aligned with our common clean growth objectives,” Wilkinson said.​

Some projects highlighted at the event include a renewable natural gas project led by the Semiahmoo First Nation and a hydrogen fuel cell research and development centre in the lower mainland. Climate Change remains a high advocacy priority for Chamber members, and we support investment in this crucial clean-tech area.