Vancouver's port and international airport face serious threats from climate change and should be prioritized for federal action, according to a Senate committee report. Blacklock's Reporter says the report highlights vulnerabilities to rising sea levels, extreme precipitation, and outdated infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for national planning.“It is projected the sea level will rise more than one metre by the end of the century in the Vancouver area,” the Senate transport committee warned. “This sea level rise combined with an increase in extreme precipitation will likely cause more severe flooding.”The 2021 rainstorms that disrupted cargo traffic at the Port of Vancouver and prompted a state of emergency in BC underscore the risks. Weekend rainfall of up to nine inches halted all rail service to the nation’s largest port. The Government of British Columbia reported widespread flooding, 39 road closures, and 12 landslide alerts during the crisis.The committee called on the federal government to identify “the country’s most critical transportation infrastructure” and develop a concrete action plan for climate-proofing these assets. “The Port of Vancouver and Vancouver International Airport are key supply chain nodes not only for the regional economy but also for the national economy,” senators emphasized.The airport, situated on an island encircled by dykes, and the port, reliant on vulnerable rail lines and truck routes, are particularly exposed. “Thousands of people and tons of merchandise come through Vancouver’s airport and port every day,” the report noted.The report criticized Canada’s transportation networks as outdated and underbuilt, with nearly 40% of infrastructure in fair or poor condition. Much of it was constructed over 50 years ago, with some assets dating back to the 1920s. The estimated rehabilitation cost is $90 billion.Senators also raised concerns about jurisdictional challenges, noting that federal ownership and not-for-profit operation of airports complicate accountability. “Setting clear expectations about who pays for what is a critical component of any effort to move forward on this urgent policy file,” they stated.
