First Nation files judicial review of Burrard Inlet dredging project

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has filed a judicial review of the dredging of Burrard Inlet in hopes of overturning the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's permit to commence work.

While the Nation acknowledged that the project is "an important step for Canada’s international trade objectives," they argued that government "failed to discharge the duty to consult TWN before the VFPA issued the Permit, thereby breaching the honour of the Crown."

They also claimed that "the VFPA’s decision to issue the permit was based on an unreasonable determination that the Second Narrows Dredging Works are not likely to result in significant adverse environmental effects under the Impact Assessment Act."

"The approval process has been rushed and has not addressed any of Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s concerns about marine shipping impacts," Chief Justin George said. "Tsleil-Waututh has a sacred stewardship obligation, a responsibility to care for our lands, air and waters. While we attempted to resolve these outstanding issues in good faith, our concerns were ignored, leaving us no choice but to go to court to protect our territory and interests."

He went on to declare that "a well-planned economic initiative needs to include addressing and accommodating impacts to Tsleil-Waututh’s inherent and constitutionally-protected rights."

Dredging of Burrard Inlet to begin in September following federal regulatory approval

Draft restrictions currently prevent Aframax-class ships from loading up to their full capacity.

Sitka MediaJarryd Jäger

In June, federal regulatory approval paved the way for dredging to begin in the Inlet near Second Narrows.

Work is set to commence in September 2026, and when complete, will allow ships to leave Trans Mountain’s Westridge Marine Terminal en route for global destinations with more product.

Draft restrictions currently prevent Aframax-class ships from loading up to their full capacity.

According to the VFPA, the approval granted via a Fisheries Act authorization from Fisheries and Oceans Canada includes over 100 "legally binding conditions to avoid, mitigate and offset potential adverse effects of the works on fish and fish habitat."

In addition to dredging the edges of the deep-sea navigation channel just east of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, work will include "removing segments of decommissioned Metro Vancouver waterlines that overlap with the deep-sea navigation channel within the proposed dredging areas" and "installing new navigation aids west of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge near Columbia Containers terminal on Burrard Inlet’s south shore to support safe vessel movements."