Greens block expansion of Port Vancouver, seeks to end all development
CANADA's port of Vancouver is facing stiff resistance from an opposition group called Against Port Expansion in the Fraser Estuary (APE) over the port's C$9.5 billion (US$7.25 billion) of proposed expansion projects.
APE claims to represent "concerned citizens" who worry that "various mega projects involving port and industrial development put the Fraser at risk," reported the Vancouver Sun.
APE predicts an apocalyptic future for the Vancouver metropolitan area if the expansion of a container terminal gets the go-ahead: the quality of life of thousands of residents would be degraded, prime agricultural land would be industrialised, globally-significant habitat for salmon, migrating birds and orca whales would be lost, it says on its website.
Then there are Vancouver residents who have had enough with noise from the port's industrial activity, and the trains and trucks. Others worry about the impact of coal dust on their health; others about the risk of oil spills.
Climate change activists want shipments of coal and oil to stop. Communities have gone to bat to protect their vistas. One protest was held last month over the proposed expansion of a terminal because it would block the views of Burrard Inlet from Crab Park, an ocean-front green area.
"Ports are facing issues in terms of expansion. The rail lines are having trouble building new facilities. You can't get airports expanded. So it's a problem across the board, and it's one that is going to cost us dearly," said Canada West Foundation trade director Carlo Dade.
Said port infrastructure chief Cliff Stewart: "Anybody building infrastructure today has to start with is to adjust their assumptions about how long it will take.
"I started working on (the Terminal 2) project the day after the gold medal hockey game in the 2010 Olympics. And at that time I said it would take us 10 to 15 years to permit and build this, and there was a lot of surprise at (the extended timeline). But that is the reality. We have to start with an expectation that these things take a long time because they have a big impact on people," Mr Stewart said.
CANADA's port of Vancouver is facing stiff resistance from an opposition group called Against Port Expansion in the Fraser Estuary (APE) over the port's C$9.5 billion (US$7.25 billion) of proposed expansion projects.
APE claims to represent "concerned citizens" who worry that "various mega projects involving port and industrial development put the Fraser at risk," reported the Vancouver Sun.
APE predicts an apocalyptic future for the Vancouver metropolitan area if the expansion of a container terminal gets the go-ahead: the quality of life of thousands of residents would be degraded, prime agricultural land would be industrialised, globally-significant habitat for salmon, migrating birds and orca whales would be lost, it says on its website.
Then there are Vancouver residents who have had enough with noise from the port's industrial activity, and the trains and trucks. Others worry about the impact of coal dust on their health; others about the risk of oil spills.
Climate change activists want shipments of coal and oil to stop. Communities have gone to bat to protect their vistas. One protest was held last month over the proposed expansion of a terminal because it would block the views of Burrard Inlet from Crab Park, an ocean-front green area.
"Ports are facing issues in terms of expansion. The rail lines are having trouble building new facilities. You can't get airports expanded. So it's a problem across the board, and it's one that is going to cost us dearly," said Canada West Foundation trade director Carlo Dade.
Said port infrastructure chief Cliff Stewart: "Anybody building infrastructure today has to start with is to adjust their assumptions about how long it will take.
"I started working on (the Terminal 2) project the day after the gold medal hockey game in the 2010 Olympics. And at that time I said it would take us 10 to 15 years to permit and build this, and there was a lot of surprise at (the extended timeline). But that is the reality. We have to start with an expectation that these things take a long time because they have a big impact on people," Mr Stewart said.