North Shore Trade Area

The North Shore Trade Area, covering Port terminals and industrial activities along the north shore of Burrard Inlet, is a critical export gateway to the Asia-Pacific region.

Currently, the North Shore terminals are estimated to generate about 19,400 direct and indirect jobs in Canada (of which 12,300 jobs are based in B.C.), and $1.2 billion in direct and indirect GDP ($790 million in B.C.). Investments in an efficient and effective transportation system in the area will enable the economic benefits of this strategic gateway to be realized to their full potential.

Program participants:

• Direct funding participants in North Shore Trade Area improvements are the Government of Canada, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Port Metro Vancouver, TransLink, the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, Kinder Morgan Canada Terminals L.P., Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway.
• Consulted participants were the Squamish Nation, the District of West Vancouver, Univar Canada Ltd., Canexus Chemicals Canada Limited Partnership, Western Stevedoring Company Limited, Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) Ltd., Cargill Limited, Richardson International, Fibreco Export Inc., and Washington Marine Group.

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Project benefits

Improved access and enhanced operations

These projects have benefits to terminals and cargo owners, including: 

• Enhanced rail and port operations, including additional cargo capacity by increasing mainline rail and rail yard capacity
• Enhanced support for Canadian forestry, mining and agriculture sectors who export through North Shore terminals
• More efficient rail operations and capacity to accommodate anticipated trade growth
• Accommodating anticipated growth in rail and road traffic
• Enabling terminal expansion plans on the North Shore
• Improved access to terminal facilities for commercial traffic
• Increased rail and road capacity, enabling longer train lengths
• Improved road connections to industries bordering the rail tracks 

Quality of life and environmental

In addition, they will also provide local quality of life and environmental benefits, including: 

• Reduced congestion on the local road network
• Increased employment on the North Shore and throughout the Lower Mainland
• Reduced noise pollution, such as train whistles at road/rail crossings and rail shunting
• Expanded terminal facilities that will increase Provincial and Municipal tax revenues
• Enhanced access for emergency service providers (police, fire, ambulance)
• Increased capacity for public projects such as the Spirit Trail multi-use pathway