Public notice

Phase 2 Polar Icebreaker Dredge Project – Public comments invited

June 26th, 2026 – The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada must determine determine whether the proposed Phase 2 Polar Icebreaker Dredge Project, located at 10 Pemberton, is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

To help inform this determination the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority will serve as the lead authority for this project review and will be the primary point of contact receiving comments, coordinating their distribution and ensuring input from the other federal agencies. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website. In addition, your contact information may be shared with third parties, e.g., the tenant, other relevant agencies, to help respond to your questions and inform possible mitigations.

Written comments must be submitted by July 25, 2026 to:

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Project and Environmental Review
100 The Pointe, 999 Canada Place
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 3T4
per@portvancouver.com

The proposed project

Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) proposes to dredge approximately 55,000 m³ of sediment within an estimated 21,800 m² footprint at the VSY basin in North Vancouver. Dredging is required to provide additional draft depth and maneuvering clearance necessary to support the outfitting and launch of the new Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker, which will be constructed under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

To safely execute the dredging activities and protect existing infrastructure, several enabling works are required:

• Installation of a temporary sheet pile wall to protect an existing remediation mat
• Installation of a new protection marker pile
• Removal of an existing protection pile dolphin

Work activities will be conducted using a barge‑mounted derrick equipped with a sealed environmental clamshell dredge bucket, supported by tugs and barges, and other necessary equipment (pile driving equipment).

In-water works will be planned to occur within the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) least‑risk timing window for Burrard Inlet (August 16 to February 28), with dredging expected between November 2026 and February 2027.

Dredged material would be transported for disposal at an approved disposal at sea site under a valid Disposal at Sea (DAS) permit per the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Any sediments suitable for DAS, will be transported and disposed of at a licensed upland facility.