Transport Committee on Feb. 25th, 2026

[Kevin Moraes]

Our role continues to be very focused on ensuring the appropriate duty of consultation. We do this on behalf of the Crown. We do it in collaboration with different Crown entities, such as Transport Canada, Environment Canada and other relevant regulators involved.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

Are you familiar with Metlakatla First Nation?

[Kevin Moraes]

Yes, we are. They're one of our six first nations.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

Metlakatla's traditional territory includes the lands and waters within the boundaries of the port of Prince Rupert. Is that correct?

[Kevin Moraes]

They are one of the six nations. That's correct.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

PRPA has a duty to consult and accommodate them on decisions that affect Metlakatla interests. Is that correct, sir?

[Kevin Moraes]

We go through a consultation process to assess accommodation. Those consultation processes look at social and traditional use impacts. We work through a process related to that project.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

Is it true that the Prince Rupert Port Authority failed to inform Metlakatla that it had granted extraordinary contractual rights to a Dutch oil and gas company for handling bulk liquid products in the port of Prince Rupert?

[Kevin Moraes]

The consultation process involved in any project looks at traditional use and other social impacts related to the six nations.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

Is it true that the port failed to inform this first nations community, sir?

[Kevin Moraes]

The question—

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

It's yes or no.

[Kevin Moraes]

The question you raised is around commercial agreements. We at the Prince Rupert Port Authority focus on long-term terminal operating agreements that incentivize investment and performance while ensuring that the gateway remains open and accessible to diverse shippers. PRPA continues to support growth and diversification aspirations—

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

It was a simple yes-or-no question.

You are aware that the PRPA granted those contractual rights in 2015 and that those extraordinary contractual rights are now held by Vopak Development Canada Incorporated and AltaGas Limited. Is that correct?

That's a yes-or-no question.

[Kevin Moraes]

I will say this, then: Given that this matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment any further on that.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

It doesn't sound as though you are being transparent with this committee.

Are you aware that Vopak, AltaGas and the PRPA have refused to disclose to the Metlakatla the contractual terms that the PRPA and Vopak agreed to in 2015?

[Kevin Moraes]

Those are commercial agreements. We have commercial agreements with many partners in the region.

More importantly—

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

It is a yes-or-no question.

[Kevin Moraes]

They are commercial agreements. I could probably say that we do not disclose commercial agreements, as they are confidential, sensitive agreements.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

Do you realize that you're at a parliamentary committee, sir? I've asked you a direct question.

[Kevin Moraes]

I would state again that commercial agreements are confidential.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

Please note, Mr. Chair, that the port is not being co-operative.

I'll try this: Would you not agree that the Metlakatla are entitled to know what specific contractual rights Vopak and AltaGas hold in their traditional territory?

[Kevin Moraes]

I will ask, then, whether that is a matter of duty of consultation put forward as part of the Crown. It's not, to my understanding, but I will circle back with our legal...to better understand that and maybe take it up with you off-line, if that helps.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

I don't think you need to take it up with me off-line, sir. Again, these are not my constituents.

However, the committee asked you a question. I think you can submit it to the clerk and the chair. I appreciate that you have a business to run, but I also believe that, in the House, we have questions to ask. We expect to have accountability, whether it be from the government itself or their agents.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Mr. Albas.

Next we'll go to Mr. Greaves.

Mr. Greaves, the floor is yours. You have six minutes, sir.