News Release

October 21, 2004

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS IN PLACE FOR VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE EXPANSION PROJECT

Construction Set to Begin

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - The $565 million expansion of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre (VCCEP) is set to begin now that the project has received all of its environmental permits.

Over the past year, the 102,600 square metre project at Coal Harbour went through a joint federal-provincial environmental assessment led by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). The environmental assessment concluded that, with the application of appropriate mitigation, this project is not likely to cause any significant environmental impact. John Les, British Columbia Minister of Small Business and Economic Development said.

“We’ve looked forward to this project for a long time, and now we can finally move it from the drawing board to the building site, to meet the demand for more convention space in downtown Vancouver. The results will be a boost in tourism, a stronger economy and new jobs."

Said John Godfrey, Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities, “Like Vancouverites and meeting planners around the world, I’m looking forward to the completion of this muchneeded expansion of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. Not only will this project have an important impact on the economy of the Lower Mainland, but it will also provide an incomparable benchmark for other “green” buildings across Canada.”

“The improved Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre will generate economic benefits by developing jobs and enhancing B.C.’s tourism industry,” said Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). “We are pleased to be partners in a project that promotes Vancouver’s international reputation as a destination of choice.”

“This announcement is another step forward in positioning Vancouver as an Asia-Pacific gateway destination. It will pay enormous dividends for our local economy, and I'm proud the Government of Canada is playing its part,” said David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry.

“With these approvals now in place, we can start work on time,” said Russell Anthony, President and Project Director of the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project (VCCEP.) “As a result, we fully expect to meet our goal of completing the project by 2008.”

Anthony added that environmental monitoring will be an ongoing part of the expansion project.

A federal screening coordinated by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, within the joint federal-provincial environmental assessment, involved the Vancouver Port Authority, Infrastructure Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, and Health Canada. Transport Canada also concluded that the construction project poses no navigational concerns in Burrard Inlet. In addition, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has issued an authorization under the Fisheries Act for the seabed, foreshore and upland areas of the project’s waterfront site to be altered as laid out in the project proposal. The Vancouver Port Authority has also completed its environmental review under the Canada Port Authority Environmental Assessment Regulations.

The expansion project has also received approval in principle from the City of Vancouver’s Development Permit Board.

The expansion project will more than triple the Convention Centre’s available space, adding an additional 35,470 square metres of function space to the VCEC’s existing 12,400 square metres. Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project Ltd. is wholly owned by the Province of British Columbia and is responsible for the expansion of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. The expansion is made possible by a funding partnership of the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, and Tourism Vancouver.

Contacts:

Norman Stowe
(604) 646-3556

Infrastructure Canada
(613) 948-1148

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