Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, the Honourable Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure of British Columbia, and Her Worship Marianne Alto, Mayor of the City of Victoria announced a joint investment of more than $293 million to redevelop the Belleville Terminal and improve the traveling experience for ferry passengers.
The project will incorporate the highest energy efficiency standards and resiliency standards for a changing climate. The new all-electric terminal building will include mass timber components and renewable materials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to mitigate site contamination, meeting LEED Gold standards and supporting governments' emissions reduction commitments.
This upgrade will bring Belleville Terminal into compliance with the Canada-US Land, Rail, Marine, and Air Transport Preclearance Agreement. Using preclearance, travellers will complete the entire U.S. customs and immigration process in Victoria and enjoy the convenience of disembarking in the United States with no further delays.
As an international gateway for goods, services, and passengers, the new terminal will drive the regional and provincial economies. It will support an anticipated $257 million in visitor spending and an anticipated 3,200 regional jobs per year in 20 years. Belleville Terminal currently supports approximately 2,000 jobs on southern Vancouver Island.
With an approved budget of $303.9 million, the project is expected to be completed in time for the 2028 season.
Belleville Terminal generates 220,000 overnight visitors and enables the ferry operators to sell over 16,000 vacation packages annually, all of which are provided by local businesses in Victoria. Travelers spend approximately $174 million annually, generating $268 million in economic output and $155 million in provincial GDP.
Belleville Terminal is on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen peoples, also known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and other Coast Salish peoples. The BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is working collaboratively with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations to identify opportunities to showcase the cultural and geographical significance of the project's location in Victoria's Inner Harbour and welcome visitors into Lekwungen territory.
By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.
