Last week, the Government of Canada and coastal First Nations announced progress to protect a large, ecologically unique ocean area off Vancouver Island's west coast. This initiative demonstrates "Canada's shared determination to protect distinctive ecosystems and priority to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples."
However, why undertake initiatives like this, but not stop the Port of Vancouver's Roberts Bank Terminal 2 (RBT2) project? RBT2, is an environmental and economic disaster looming on the West Coast in the ecologically-sensitive Salish Sea.
Over the years, several voices, including Indigenous Peoples, scientists, ecologists, community members, biologists, local port industry-tenants and neighbours, municipal leaders like Delta Councillors and Mayor, City of Delta, have urged the Government to reject the Port of Vancouver’s flawed RBT2 project.
This unnecessary expansion project will disrupt important marine ecosystems by building a massive artificial island (about 150 football fields) in the heart of the Fraser River estuary, ignoring its global significance for salmon, resident killer whales and migratory birds. Among other significant environmental impacts, it will impact more than 100 species of concern and potentially implicate the long-term viability of Western Sandpipers. Environment and Climate Change Canada, said that the damage from RBT2 will be “permanent, irreversible, and, continuous.”
It’s time for the Government to align its actions and announcements, it’s time for the Government to #RejectRBT2.