$10 Million Fraser River Dredging Program Provides Important Access to Local Communities

LOWER MAINLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 12, 2015) - Port Metro Vancouver, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Corporation of Delta, and the City of Richmond together celebrate the milestone of a $10-million collaboration to dredge the lower Fraser River in Ladner Harbour, Deas Slough, Sea Reach and Cannery Channel.

Dredging involves the careful removal and disposal of sediment from clogged navigation channels to ensure vessels can safely transit to their destination. Port Metro Vancouver regularly provides funding for dredging as part of its long-term strategy to ensure the Fraser River can continue to support international and domestic trade and meet Transport Canada's safe navigation requirements. Through its Local Channel Dredging Contribution Program, Port Metro Vancouver also provides financial support for eligible riverfront communities to undertake their own dredging activities beyond deep sea and domestic shipping channels.

While not all the planned dredging was completed due to an increase in dredging volumes and disposal costs, Port Metro Vancouver continues to work with funding partners to pursue further opportunities to complete dredging of some channels.

"I'm proud that Port Metro Vancouver is the first port authority in Canada to provide funding contributions for local communities with waterways falling outside of the main shipping channels," said Robin Silvester, President and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver. "It has been a pleasure working with our partners on this collaborative initiative that, once again, brings government and community groups together to ensure safe access to local navigation channels."

"Completing the Local Channel Dredging Program is an important milestone in ensuring the continued accessibility of secondary channels in Ladner and Steveston," said The Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Minister of National Revenue and MP for Delta-Richmond East. "Ladner Harbour, Deas Slough, Sea Reach and Cannery Channel are essential to the economic activity of the lower Fraser River and this dredging work helps sustain jobs, growth, and prosperity in our communities. Our government thanks the partners for their collaboration and participation on this initiative."

"When local residents and business owners voiced their concerns over silt buildup on the Fraser River, we listened and acted with our partners at the federal government, Port Metro Vancouver, Delta and Richmond to develop and fund this initiative," said The Hon. Todd Stone, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. "I'm pleased this collaborative effort has been a success, providing better access to waterfront businesses and assuring safe navigation for fishing, commercial and recreational vessels without harming the local environment."

"The completion of the dredging program in the Ladner channels is a major accomplishment for the funding partners as well as the Delta community," said Delta Mayor Lois E. Jackson. "Many of our businesses, float home communities, marinas, fisheries and recreational boat users depend on the clear and safe passageway through the local channels for their continued viability. I would like to thank the federal and provincial governments and the City of Richmond for funding this program, and I would especially like to thank Port Metro Vancouver not only for its funding contribution, but also for its excellent management of a very complex and challenging project."

"Richmond's history and economy are closely linked to Steveston Harbour," said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. "This dredging initiative helps ensure Steveston Harbour will continue to serve the more than 1,200 vessels that use it every year."

The funding partners would like to acknowledge the important contribution of the Ladner Sediment Group, Steveston Harbour Authority, Steveston Village, and float home and marina owners on the Fraser River.

About Port Metro Vancouver:

Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest port and the fourth largest tonnage port in North America, responsible for Canada's trade with more than 160 world economies. Located in a naturally beautiful setting on Canada's west coast, Port Metro Vancouver is responsible for the efficient and reliable movement of goods and passengers, and integrates environmental, social and economic sustainability initiatives into all areas of port operations. Port Metro Vancouver is committed to meaningful engagement with the communities in which it operates and the shared obligation to improve the quality of life for Canadians. Enabling the trade of approximately $187 billion in goods annually, the port generates an estimated 100,000 jobs, $6.1 billion in wages, and $9.7 billion in GDP across Canada. As a non-shareholder, financially self-sufficient corporation established by the Government of Canada, Port Metro Vancouver operates pursuant to the Canada Marine Act and is accountable to the elected federal Minister of Transport.