Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon says plans to upgrade the Port of Vancouver have been referred to Canada’s Major Projects Office to explore whether the project can be fast-tracked. MacKinnon links the move to changing global supply chains, shifting trade patterns, and increased competition for investment. Multiple outlets report that the referral is intended to review the proposal under the Major Projects Office process, which can accelerate assessment and approvals for designated large infrastructure projects. Business-focused coverage characterizes the upgrade as potentially “transformational,” framing it as part of a broader strategy to grow and diversify trade through the port. None of the provided excerpts specify project scope, costs, or a timetable, and the reporting focuses mainly on the administrative referral and the federal government’s rationale for considering accelerated review. The coverage is consistent in stating that the referral is underway and that MacKinnon is presenting the upgrade as aligned with evolving trade and investment conditions.