Environmental group challenges port’s approval of B.C. coal terminal

VANCOUVER – The environmental legal group Ecojustice is asking a court to overturn a decision by Port Metro Vancouver approving the construction of a coal-shipping terminal in Surrey, B.C.

An application filed in Federal Court says the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority failed to consider certain environmental effects set out in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The application says the port made a mistake when it determined the port would not cause adverse environmental effects and that it didn’t consider environmental changes caused by combustion of the coal that would be exported out of Canada.

The court action asks that the permit be set aside and referred back to the port for reconsidering in accordance with the assessment act.

Ecojustice lawyer Karen Campbell says their clients followed the process every step of the way and saw conduct that suggested the port’s consent was decided before the approval process was finished.

The Communities and Coal Society, Voters Taking Action on Climate Change and two individuals are named as applicants in the legal action.