City Conversation: The Port, coal, and the economy – Mar 21

City Conversations: The Port, coal, and the economy
Time: Thursday, March 21 / 12:30-1:30pm
Place: Room 2270, Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings St.
Cost: Free
The Port, coal, and the economy
Port Metro Vancouver has approved and is considering proposals to expand its export facilities for coal for steelmaking, potentially making it North America’s largest coal export hub. Coal is big business, contributing $3.2 billion to BC’s economy in 2011, and nearly $300 million to the provincial budget, according to a coal association report. It’s not just about coal. Port Metro Vancouver is a significant part of BC’s economy. 
But then there are the environmental and health issues raised by the B.C. Lung Association, Coastal and Fraser Health Authorities and others, and political leaders in Vancouver, New Westminster, and Delta. The port, a federal agency whose mission is to expand trade, considers local environmental impacts but says that the impacts of its decisions on global warming are the federal government’s responsibility.
Big money, big decisions, big impacts. To frame the conversation, our presenters are SFU Prof. Peter Hall, an expert on seaports and urban sustainability; Kevin Washbrook, director of Voters Taking Action on Climate Change and a candidate for nomination to the Port Authority Board of Directors; and a representative of the coal industry. Then it’s your turn to question, comment, decide.
Thursday, March 21
12:30 − 1:30 p.m.
SFU Vancouver at Harbour Centre, Room 2270
Free Event, and you’re welcome to bring your lunch