Canada Approves FortisBC Tilbury LNG Facility Expansion

The Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia approved the Tilbury Phase 2 expansion of the FortisBC liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on Tilbury Island in Delta. Approved under the one project, one review federal program, the project will increase production by over 50 percent, adding a 142,400-cubic-metre storage tank and liquefaction facilities capable of producing 7,700 tonnes of LNG per day. The expansion aims to power BC Ferries and meet demand at the Port of Vancouver by replacing bunker fuel with cleaner natural gas.

Provincial estimates indicate the project will contribute up to $1.7 billion to the provincial GDP during construction, creating 100 permanent jobs and 6,200 full-time-equivalent years of employment. The provincial certificate includes 18 legally binding conditions regarding air quality, greenhouse-gas reduction, and First Nations monitoring. While federal and provincial ministers praised the economic and energy security benefits, B.C. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene expressed disappointment, citing community safety concerns.

Environmental and health organizations have warned that the project will release 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually and result in billions in public subsidies passed to ratepayers. Originally initiated in 2020 but delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was approved following a revised application submitted in February 2026. Construction of the new infrastructure is scheduled to begin in early 2027, though FortisBC still requires further authorizations.