FAQs

2010 Games Overview FAQs

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• What is the Port’s involvement in the Vancouver 2010 Games?

  Port Metro Vancouver is an Official Supplier of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Olympic Team. We have also become an official supplier for the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Olympic Team for the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London.
  
  As an Official Supplier of Port Services, Port Metro Vancouver will provide key spaces leading up to and during the 2010 Winter Games including space for the Main Press Centre at Canada Place, in addition to several other port properties for Vancouver 2010 operations in preparation for and during the Winter Games.
  

• What sort of access to space will you be providing as part of your supplier agreement?

  As part of our agreement, Port Metro Vancouver will be providing VANOC access to key spaces including the use of the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal as well as other port properties for Vancouver 2010 operations in preparation for and during the Games. These include:

  • parking space immediately east of Canada Place, and the parking lots on the east side of the Seabus terminal and at the Main Street overpass, to be used for vehicle staging, screening and parking; 
  • approximately 6.5 acres of Central Waterfront Lands to be used for vehicle staging, screening and parking, and as the site for broadcast satellite equipment; and 
  • up to 40 acres of land at the south end of No. 8 Road on our Richmond Properties to be used for VANOC fleet vehicle purposes.

• When will VANOC begin utilizing these spaces?

  We are still working with VANOC on the details of how and when the spaces will be required so that we can minimize impacts to port business.

• What impacts will this have on business and revenues?

  We feel that an affiliation with the established and respected 2010 Winter Games is a good way for us to enhance our brand, and in turn this could provide long-term business benefits for Port Metro Vancouver.

   

  As Canada’s largest port, it’s also a great fit for us from a business perspective, because it allows us to help welcome the world with the Vancouver 2010 spirit through all of our customers from over 130 trading economies around the world when they come to BC.

   

  This sponsorship will also reinforce our leadership position as Canada’s busiest port, in that we have the facilities, scale and expertise all businesses can capitalize on for their success.

• How does Port Metro Vancouver intend to contribute to the success of these Games?

  As part of the agreement, Port Metro Vancouver will provide key facilities and support leading up to and during the 2010 Winter Games. As Canada’s largest and busiest port, we also intend to help spread the Vancouver 2010 spirit around the world through our vast network of resources and contact with businesses from over 130 trading economies around the world.

• Why did you decide to sponsor the 2010 Winter Games?

  Our support of Canada’s dream of hosting the 2010 Winter Games dates back many years to when we worked with the team preparing the Vancouver 2010 Bid. Vancouver is known around the world for our remarkable location on Canada’s Pacific Coast, so we have known that the harbour and ocean would play an important part in the 2010 Winter Games. It is a demonstration of our commitment to the community, the province and the country, and we are proud to be an Official Supplier.

• The Port claims that one of the key Olympic Pillars that the Port is working with is sustainability, what are you doing to highlight that connection?

  A key factor in Port Metro Vancouver's decision to become involved was VANOC’s commitment to the principle of sustainability in such areas as accountability, environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic benefit, which reflects our position on community engagement, community investment and corporate social responsibility.

2010 Games Access FAQs

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• What additional security measures will be put in place during the Winter Games?

  Standard operating procedures will be in place during Games-time. We are working closely with Transport Canada and the Surface Planning Committee, and reviewing all of our security measures at Port Metro Vancouver. We are also working with key stakeholders, terminal operators, tenants and labour to coordinate Port activities during the Games.

• How secure are Port Metro Vancouver’s facilities now?

  We are dedicated to maintaining the highest level of security at Port Metro Vancouver at all times. Recently, we were recognized as the most secure port in Canada.

• Will there be changes to vessel reporting procedures?

  Standard operating procedures will be in place during the 2010 Winter Games, same as they are today.
  

• Will there be increased marine patrols?

  There are plans to bring in additional vessels from around the region to provide 24/7 presence on the water. We are working with the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit and other security partners to ensure the safety of all port users during the 2010 Winter Games.

• How will I hear about an incident during the Games?

  An Olympic Marine Operations Centre (OMOC) will be established to coordinate communication efforts during the Games. The OMOC will use existing communication vehicles, such as vessel traffic, that are in place today.

• With the possibility of cruise vessels in Port during the Games, will there be additional security restrictions in place and how will this impact adjacent terminals?

  We are working closely with our terminals to consider all requests, in order to ensure that any potential impacts to Port business are minimized. We are also working with the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit to consider vessel overlay options to existing port activities. We will provide updates at security stakeholders meetings leading up to the Games.

2010 Games Cargo FAQs

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• Will there be any changes to procedures for Dangerous Goods?

  Existing procedures in-place today will remain in place during Games time. We will provide updates, particularly looking at any impacts to the trucking industry, as they become available.

• Will Port Metro Vancouver be inspecting more closely every container coming in to the port during the Games?

  Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for these inspections and is participating in the development of Games-time operational requirements. We are working with them to determine if any extra measures will be required during the 2010 Winter Games.

• Will there be any changes to how bulk vessels move to and from anchorage during Games-time?

  There are no anticipated changes to how vessels will move during Games-time. There is the potential for increased marine patrols to ensure the safety of all port stakeholders.

2010 Games Traffic FAQs

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• What kind of additional traffic can I anticipate during the Games?

  The City of Vancouver and other transportation partners have released the third and final phase of the 2010 Winter Games integrated transportation plan. The plan outlines how businesses, residents and visitors will get around the Metro Vancouver and Sea to Sky regions during the Games. See the City of Vancouver for more information.

• What is the Port doing to ensure that movements of cargo are not interrupted by additional passenger train movements?

  Passenger train movements, such as the West Coast Express, will increase during Games-time, however these additional movements will not have the same priority as the movement of cargo.

• Will there be any impact to the movement of labour?

  The Western Marine Community Coalition is looking at options. At this time, no changes are anticipated based on plans received to date. See the Western Marine Community Coalition for more information.

• Will truck traffic be diverted to evening hours?

  Plans continue to evolve, though there are no plans for any diversions at this time. More information will be available in the fall of 2009.