Security fears at B.C. port flagged as federal government fast-tracks massive expansion project; concerns have lasted years

Security concerns at British Columbia's port facilities have persisted for years, particularly as the federal government fast-tracks the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion project.¹²

Delta Mayor George Harvie has been vocal about the need for improved security measures, stating, "We still have not had an upgrade to the security systems that exist in comparable to other ports in Europe," highlighting the lack of police presence and the risk of drug trafficking.

Canada's dedicated port police were disbanded in 1997, leaving security duties divided among various agencies, which Harvie argues is insufficient.

"Right now, we have no police officers working within the ports, none," he emphasized, calling for the integration of advanced security technology, such as "rolling scanners" used in European ports.¹¹¹²¹³

The proposed expansion aims to increase container capacity by 50%, potentially contributing $3 billion to Canada's GDP each year.

However, Harvie insists that "Expand, that's fine, but don't forget security is important."

Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon acknowledged the concerns but stated that expansion and security are "separate issues," asserting that the government is committed to addressing evolving security challenges.³

In a recent report commissioned by the City of Delta, lawyer Peter German reiterated that the main concerns remain unchanged, emphasizing the need for a robust security framework as the port expands.⁴⁵

"I would simply say, don’t allow issues such as security to be forgotten," German cautioned, drawing parallels to the importance of security during major events like the FIFA World Cup.