The Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade (SWRBOT) welcomes the announcement between the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia of the new Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement, which sets out a coordinated approach to accelerating major energy, infrastructure, and trade corridor projects across the province.

This agreement signals an important federal-provincial commitment to building the infrastructure required to strengthen Canada’s long-term economic competitiveness. Key investments in LNG development, the North Coast Transmission Line, and major port and corridor upgrades - including the Port of Vancouver, Roberts Bank Terminal, rail links, and the George Massey Tunnel Replacement - will significantly enhance British Columbia’s ability to move goods efficiently to global markets.

For Surrey, White Rock, and the broader Metro Vancouver region, these decisions have direct and measurable economic implications. The Port of Vancouver is a critical gateway for Canadian exporters and businesses connecting to Asian markets, and its success depends on the infrastructure that surrounds it. Continued investment in Lower Mainland trade infrastructure is essential to keeping goods moving, supporting jobs, attracting investment, and strengthening our region’s role in Canada’s global trade network.

In addition to large-scale infrastructure investments, the agreement’s focus on streamlining project approvals, strengthening Indigenous partnerships, and improving regulatory coordination will be important for local businesses navigating timelines, costs, and workforce planning. Clearer processes and greater certainty can help businesses make informed investment decisions and better position themselves to participate in upcoming projects and supply chains.

The Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade’s 2026 Roads Survey highlights the importance of the George Massey Tunnel to regional mobility, with 35% of respondents indicating they use the tunnel a few times a month, 9% reporting use two to three times per week, and 7% indicating daily use. These figures underscore the tunnel’s role as a critical economic artery for workers, commuters, and goods movement across the region.

The planned replacement of the George Massey Tunnel, along with broader investments in the Roberts Bank trade corridor, Port of Vancouver infrastructure, rail links, and the surrounding logistics network, will help reduce congestion, improve supply chain reliability, and strengthen the Province’s position as Canada’s Pacific gateway.

“This agreement represents a generational investment in British Columbia’s economic future,” said Indra Bhan, Chief Operating Officer of the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade. “For businesses in Surrey and White Rock, reliable trade infrastructure has real, everyday impacts. It affects how goods move, how supply chains perform, and how competitive our region can be. These are the kinds of investments that translate directly into jobs, productivity, investment attraction, and long-term prosperity.”

SWRBOT also encourages governments to ensure that small and medium-sized businesses have clear access to information about procurement opportunities, workforce development supports, and timelines associated with these projects. Transparent communication and local engagement will be key to maximizing the economic benefits of this agreement for businesses across Surrey and White Rock.

SWRBOT looks forward to continued collaboration with federal and provincial partners to ensure these investments translate into real, tangible economic benefits for local businesses, workers, and communities across Surrey, White Rock, and the broader Metro Vancouver region.