It’s not just you — it’s a fact: the cost of living is just more expensive. And it’s not simply global inflation that has increased the price of goods post-pandemic. A big reason for the recent cost-hikes are issues with supply chains.

Now, the federal government is now weighing in with efforts to make the movement of goods and items easier in Vancouver.

The Minister of Transport has announced an investment that will heavily increase cargo volume capacity and efficiency at Vancouver International Airport. Up to $74.3 million has been assigned to the project under the National Trade Corridors Fund, which will go towards building the expansion at YVR. In total, improvements will boost the airport's cargo capacity by 160,000 tonnes, representing a $22 billion increase to Canada's trade potential annually.

The initiative has three primary objectives: helping the airport to handle more cargo, improving YVR’s facilities and efficiency, and reducing pollution. The project’s outcomes, the government says, will include increased parking space capacity to accommodate four additional widebody freighter aircraft, an upgraded access road, and preparation of the site for the construction of a new air cargo warehouse.

"Cargo and our focus on growth and optimization is in direct service of our community and the economy that supports it,” said Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO of Vancouver Airport Authority. “With improved capacity and infrastructure, we will handle more essential cargo and contribute to building stronger and more resilient supply chains between Canada and global markets, benefitting local businesses and consumers.”

Many goods are exported through YVR, including those vital to sectors like advanced manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. B.C.’s more traditional sectors, too — like agriculture and fisheries — require top-notch air cargo capabilities to make sure their products reach global markets before they’re unusable.

The project also has the benefit of cutting emissions. By its calculations, the government suggests that the initiative will reduce truck travel by up to 229 million kilometers over the course of 30 years, as local exporters will not have to transport their products to an airport further away. Keeping trucks off the road, too, will help reduce traffic on B.C.’s major highways.

The National Trade Corridors Fund is a competitive, merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical transportation assets that support economic activity in Canada. A total of $4.6 billion over 11 years, starting in 2017, has been allocated to the program.

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