B.C. container terminal operator calls its emissions data a ‘trade secret’ by The Canadian Press, April 8, 2024, CTV News Vancouver
The B.C. company that operates Canada’s largest container terminal is going to court against the federal government to keep five years of greenhouse-gas emissions data secret.
GCT Canada Limited Partnership says the Minister of Environment and Climate Change wants to publish emissions data from the Deltaport facility south of Vancouver under the federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.
The company says in a Federal Court application that the information is a “trade secret,” and publicly releasing it would cause both financial loss and harm to the firm’s “competitive position.”
Such bullshit. Unfortunately, anti life, anti environment Steve Harper plunked a lot of his pro pollution judges on the bench. If this company gets a Harper judge, I bet the company will succeed at keeping its poisoning of us and other species secret.
GCT Canada says in the judicial review application that the ministry is wrongfully singling out Deltaport and that no facilities run by competitors are required to report emissions numbers.
The company says its emissions data could be used by competitors, customers and others to cause the company losses.well, the company has a good imagination, or their lawyers do
GCT’s lawyers and president Eric Waltz didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment, and the environment ministry deferred comment to Transport Canada, which isn’t named in the judicial review application.
GCT Canada also operates the Vanterm container terminal in Vancouver.
B.C. port firm says its greenhouse gas emissions data is a ‘trade secret’ by Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press, Posted April 8, 2024, Global News
The B.C. company that operates Canada’s largest container terminal is going to court against the federal government to keep five years of greenhouse-gas emissions data secret.
GCT Canada Limited Partnership says the Minister of Environment and Climate Change wants to publish emissions data from the Deltaport facility south of Vancouver under the federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.
The company says in a Federal Court application that the information is a “trade secret,” and publicly releasing it would cause both financial loss and harm to the firm’s “competitive position.”Corporations need to have their legal personhood removed.
“GCT Canada is continually negotiating with existing customers to renew agreements or negotiating with potential new customers,” the application says. “Existing and potential customers place a significantly increasing importance on sustainability issues for those they contract with, including the (greenhouse-gas) emissions of the container terminals that they use.”
If its emissions data is published and its competitors’ data is not, GCT Canada claims this would “interfere with these negotiations.”
The company says it provided the data covering 2017 to 2022 to Environment and Climate Change Canada, but the ministry rejected a request to keep the data confidential in February.
GCT Canada says in the judicial review application that the ministry is wrongfully singling out Deltaport It’s the biggest, that makes it not wrong in my viewand that no facilities run by competitors are required to report emissions numbers.
“Publishing the (greenhouse-gas) Information would make Deltaport the only container terminal facility in Canada that publishes this type of information,” the application says.Cry babies, like the lying Pathways Tarsands Polluter Alliance
The application saysI’ve learned to never believe a word written or said by lawyers, notably those serving industrial pollutersthe emissions data is treated as confidential by all container terminal operators in the Canadian market.
The company says its emissions data could be used by competitors, customers and others to cause the company losses.Quite a stretch, in my view.
GCT Canada spokesman Marko Dekovic said in an interview Monday that when the company asked for the data to be kept confidential, the government declined, and the company’s “only remedy was to file for this judicial review.”
Dekovic said GCT Canada wasn’t able to identify any other container terminal operator that had been asked to provide emissions data for publication under the reporting program, which could give the impression that its emissions are somehow higher than others with no ability for comparison.well, I expect they are higher, GCT is the biggest and a few LED lights, EVs, batteries, etc., while sounding lovely, isn’t going to reduce much pollution
“Since there’s no others, that information would be in a vacuum,” he said.
Dekovic said there’s no timeline for when the court may decide on the application.
The Environment Ministry deferred comment to Transport Canada, which isn’t named in the judicial review application.
GCT Canada also operates the Vanterm container terminal in Vancouver.
GCT Takes on the Federal Net Zero Challenge
November 16th, 2023
Vancouver, BC – GCT Global Container Terminals (GCT) is proud to formalize our emissions reduction efforts by signing onto the federal government’s Net Zero Challenge.So why less than half a year later are they going to court to keep their pollution secret? Hypocrites, as bad as Danielle Smith and her UCP’s Evangelicals, the TBA.
Reaching our target of net zero by 2050 will require ambition, innovation, and collaboration between industry and all levels of government. By investing now, we can ensure Canada remains competitive in the low-carbon global economy and support our collective goals in mitigating the effects of climate change. GCT will strive to sleazily call our pollution trade secrets! be an industry leader in supporting Canada’s and British Columbia’s climate objectives.
We are committed to making sustainability a priority — this is the foundation of our Global Commitment, which reflects our dedication to the environment, safety, and community. We believe it is our responsibility—not only as a business but also as good neighbours—to ensure the future of generations to come.“Good neighbour” my ass, that’s as vile as Encana/Ovintiv’s empty promises. Keeping your pollution secret fucks future generations and your neighbours.
Following the recommendations and actions set out in the Government of Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, GCT will build on the investments we have already made to reduce emissions by:
- KEEPING OUR POLLUTION SECRET using taxpayer funded courts and gov’t to do so.
- Expanding our light-duty fleet electrification through the introduction of three electric vehicles, including a 19-passenger mini bus, a delivery vehicle, and a security truck;
- Adding 6 new electric ship-to-shore cranes;
- Installing LED lighting; and
- Investing in low-emission container handling equipment.
In addition to decarbonizing our on-site operations, GCT is also dedicated to supporting the federal government’s work with the other signatories of the Clydebank Declaration, as we all work towards establishing green shipping corridors that will accelerate broader decarbonization of the shipping sector and its fuel supply.
As the largest tenant of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, GCT looks forward to collaborating further with industry partners in support of the port authority’s vision for the Port of Vancouver to be the world’s most sustainable port.Collaboration by lying and keeping our pollution secret and bullying the gov’t in court to get our way?
“This investment in innovation provides us with an opportunity to do things better, safer, and in a more environmentally friendly way”, said President and CEO of GCT Global Container Terminals, Eric Waltz. “Taking on the Federal Net Zero Challenge reinforces our focus on environmentally responsible practices at our terminals. As we continue to expand and increase capacity, sustainability will remain a core value.”
“I commend GCT for the steps they’re taking to help reach net zero by 2050, including their investment in green technologies and commitment to the federal Net Zero Challenge. Collaboration and innovation will play a critical role as we work toward our shared goal of reducing port-related emissions at Canada’s largest port while advancing the nation’s trade objectives.”
-Peter Xotta, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
BACKGROUNDER
Whether introducing new environmentally-responsible equipment, ensuring early and responsive engagement on projects or increasing capacity without increasing our footprint, these efforts have made a difference, reducing emissions intensity per container moved by almost 20% across our operations:
- EV Charger Installations and Vehicle Upgrades Continue:
- 28 EV chargers are active across GCT Deltaport and GCT Vanterm, with complimentary charging provided to employees and the workforce to encourage utilization; 26 additional chargers have been received and are approved for commissioning this year.
- In 2023, EV chargers installed at GCT removed 350,000 kg of GHG emissions from our communities.
- GCT is adding three Electric Vehicles to its fleet, including a 19-passenger mini bus, a delivery vehicle and a security truck.
- Going Beyond Regulation:
- Climate Smart Certification is complete at all GCT Terminals, with reductions in absolute and per TEU emissions across the board. Absolute emission reductions across GCT are equivalent to removing over 8 million miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle.
- Maintained Green Marine certification at all terminals – earning the highest marks for a container terminal operator in the program across all performance indicators, including the new Community Relations indicator. GCT has been Green Marine Certified since 2014. This rigorous industry certification program sets high benchmarks above and beyond regulation for air, land, and water protection.
- Ongoing equipment and terminal modernization, including:
- 4 electric Megamax Cranes at Deltaport
- 2 electric Megamax Cranes at Vanterm
- 8 electric CRMGs
- 12 Kone cranes: Tier 4f Diesel RTGs
- Vanterm Modernization Project added new technology and equipment across the terminal
- Shorepower installed at GCT Deltaport
- New Ship to Shore (STS) cranes coming online across GCT are all designed with modern, highly efficient, all electric motors that will help increase berth productivity and reduce running hours required to service vessels. This maintains an all-electric STS Crane fleet for GCT featuring efficient, regenerative drives that push power back into the grid.
- The GCT Deltaport prime route optimization program continues to reduce KM traveled by on-terminal equipment, cut tire consumption, and reduce the need for additional terminal tractors.
- Ongoing conversion to LED lighting replacements on equipment and full terminal lighting retrofit projects completed at GCT Vanterm and GCT Deltaport are reducing emissions, glare, and the number of lights across facilities.
If the above boasting is true, no need to keep your pollution secret.
For more information:
Denise Trent
GCT Global Container Terminals
T +1 604 267 5396
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