Tsleil-Waututh Nation Sues to Block Burrard Inlet Dredging

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has filed for a judicial review in Federal Court to overturn federal permits granted to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority for a dredging project in Burrard Inlet. The project, which could begin in September 2026, aims to deepen the navigation channel under the Second Narrows bridge. This would allow Aframax-class tankers serving the Trans Mountain pipeline's Westridge Marine Terminal to load to full capacity, removing a current 75-80% restriction.

Chief Justin George stated that the approval process was "rushed" and failed to address concerns regarding marine shipping impacts and Indigenous rights. The Nation argues that regulators and the Treasury Board of Canada ignored cumulative risks to marine ecosystems, oil spill hazards, and shoreline erosion, while breaching the government's duty to consult. The Squamish Nation also expressed significant concerns, with Chairperson Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams warning that increased vessel movement would compound cultural and environmental impacts.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which approved the plan on June 23 following an environmental review, maintains that removing 25,000 cubic metres of material will improve port utilization without increasing vessel size. The project is supported by the Government of British Columbia and aligns with the Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement to increase oil export capacity. The port authority stated it is currently reviewing the legal filing.