Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) is running out of operating space, according to its recently released Sustainability Report. Currently the port owns approximately 3,600 acres of land, most of which is occupied; the organization wrote that it will require an additional 2,300 acres by 2025 in order to accommodate increasing freight demands and market access opportunities.

Last year the port handled 135 million tonnes of cargo. Between 2012 and 2013, PMV's bulk cargo shipments into and out of the port grew by 11 per cent, container cargo grew by eight per cent, and cruise business grew by 22 per cent.

PMV CEO Robin Silvester says the government of B.C. should establish an Industrial Land Reserve to protect Canadian industry and the jobs it creates. Vancouver has the most expensive industrial land and some of the lowest vacancy rates of large residential and commercial developments on the continent, due in part to the municipal rezoning of 3,000 hectares of previously industrial land. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says it has no plans to create such a reserve at this time.

The port is making its request at a time when it is facing some resistance from Vancouver City Hall, local residents and federal and provincial Opposition politicians over its rumoured role in potentially taking over the operation of Granville Island.

Last week, negotiations between the B.C. Teacher's Federation (BCTF) and the Province reached another standstill after a second mediator refused to engage in attempts to settle the dispute.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Kelleher refused the offer to be involved after he undertook exploratory discussions with the two parties. He stated that mediation was not indicated at this time.

Last week, the Labour Relations Board ruled that schools must have summer classes during the strike for students in grades 10 through 12 who failed a course that could not be retaken next year.

A number of school boards have cancelled summer classes, including the Vancouver School Board. Other closed districts include:

- Abbotsford

- Burnaby

- Campbell River

- Chilliwack

- Kamloops

- Langley

- Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

- North Vancouver

- Prince George

- Greater Victoria

- Williams Lake

Last week, Minister of Transportation Todd Stone announced B.C. will increase speed limits to 120 kilometers per hour on certain rural highways in areas across the province.

Minister Stone noted that the changes are in line with the speeds at which most drivers typically travel. He said that research demonstrates the benefits of setting a speed limit at the level 85 per cent of drivers travel; those travelling too slow or too fast pose the highest risk of causing a crash.

This weekly report produced for the BC Chamber of Commerce by Fleishman-Hillard.  While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication as of the date of issue, events and government policies are subject to frequent change.  Therefore, the BC Chamber of Commerce and Fleishman-Hillard cannot assume any responsibility for actions taken solely or principally on the basis on the information contained herein.