The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, July 17, edition that Ottawa has referred the Port of Vancouver's growth strategy to the Major Projects Office to expedite the expansion of West Coast trade infrastructure and enhance export diversification. The Globe's Kate Helmore writes that the MPO will review proposed projects in the port's Gateway Strategy, including a multibillion-dollar container terminal expansion in Southern B.C. and Alberta's oil export terminal proposal in Delta. The MPO can now assist in fast-tracking the selection of a new operator for a revamped export terminal in Richmond, with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority set to start the selection process on July 20. The goal is to attract private investment to the port following Nutrien's December decision to invest up to $1-billion in a Washington State export terminal instead of British Columbia. If finalized, Nutrien will ship as much potash through U.S. ports as it does through Canadian ones. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon says he is having an "ongoing dialogue" with Nutrien concerning the matter. He says, "I'd be lying if I told you that [Nutrien's] decision, which is still hard to digest, was not at least an impetus for some action."