NEW PORT OF PRINCE RUPERT GATEWAY COUNCIL SHARES ECONOMIC IMPACT STATS AND CELEBRATES JOB GROWTH

NEW PORT OF PRINCE RUPERT GATEWAY COUNCIL SHARES ECONOMIC IMPACT STATS AND CELEBRATES JOB GROWTH

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Port of Prince Rupert employers, industries and labour organizations have launched the Port of Prince Rupert Gateway Council (Gateway Council) and released an economic impact study that revealed strong employment benefits associated to the movement of trade through the Prince Rupert Gateway that helped offset the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Prince Rupert Gateway supports the movement of goods through the Port of Prince Rupert to and from domestic and international markets. Over the last decade, this movement of goods has increased by over 100% to a record 32.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2020, thanks to the vast contributions of Gateway partners.

The Gateway Council will work together to identify and advocate for Gateway supply chain improvements to ensure sustainable growth of the gateway that benefits Port partners, their employees, local and Indigenous communities, and all Canadians who rely on the free-flowing movement of trade.

Gateway Council members include the Prince Rupert Port Authority, CN, Ridley Terminals Inc., Prince Rupert Grain, DP World Canada, Pinnacle Renewable Energy, AltaGas Ltd., Pembina Pipeline, Ray-Mont Logistics, Quickload Logistics, Coast 2000 Terminals, Gat Leedm Logistics, Vopak Canada and the International Longshore & Warehouse Union.

The economic impact study released today by the Gateway Council analyzed the 32.4 million tonnes shipped in 2020 through the Port of Prince Rupert and its trade corridor, and quantified economic and employment benefits for northern BC. The study was based on surveys of businesses directly involved in the transportation of goods through Northern BC, including rail, trucking, logistics, port terminals, marine services, and government agencies.

The study found that growing cargo volumes moving through the Prince Rupert Gateway continued to translate into significant economic benefits for communities throughout the northern BC corridor. While the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 dampened outcomes associated with some lines of trade, strong performance in other sectors played a key role in providing economic and employment stability in the Gateway and the northern BC region as a whole. The Gateway continued to demonstrate its resiliency, efficiency, and reliability as a key strategic trade corridor for Canada and an economic engine for local communities.

The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were particularly acute in tourism-related businesses tied to cruise and ferry visitors, but also impacted container volumes and related employment numbers. Growth in cargoes and terminals related to coal, wood pellets and propane were important counterweights and highlighted the value of cargo diversification moving through the Port.

2020 Economic Impact Study highlights include (% change vs. 2018 levels):

• 32.4 million tonnes of cargo was valued at $60 billion in 2020
• Total economic output from port industry activity increased 7% to $1.4 billion
• Direct full-time employment in gateway businesses increased 3% to 3700 jobs
• Total job growth, including indirect and induced employment, increased 9% to 7800 jobs
• Total wages from direct employment in gateway businesses increased 17% to $360 million
• Average annual wage in gateway businesses increased 14% to $95,000 per full-time worker

Gateway activity also supported over $147 million in taxation revenue for all levels of government through associated stipends, personal tax, corporate tax, and property tax revenues. The federal and BC governments are the largest recipient of tax revenue, but local governments increased revenues by 22% to $12 million from Port properties.

Learn more about the Prince Rupert Gateway Council Economic Impact Study at www.rupertport.com/economic-impact/.

QUOTES FROM GATEWAY COUNCIL PARTNERS

“The ongoing growth and expansion at the Port of Prince Rupert has provided new job opportunities and wage increases for our members, helping to provide stability and support for their families and local community”, said Rob Ashton, President, ILWU Canada. “I am happy to be a member of the Gateway Council to ensure we continue to work together so these economic benefits are realized for generations to come.”

“The growth of the Port of Prince Rupert has been a result of the strong relationships we’ve all used to develop innovative, proactive supply chain solutions here,” said Mark Lerner, Vice-President, Marketing & Business Development, CN.

“We are proud to be a member of the Gateway Council and to contribute to the local economy with our Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal,” said Randy Toone, Executive Vice President and President of Midstream for Calgary-based AltaGas. “The Port is a critical partner of ours in facilitating our propane export safely and reliably. We are committed to our ongoing collaboration and growth of the Port into the future.”

“Sustainable development around the Port of Prince Rupert is vital to creating local employment and economic opportunities for years to come,” said Janet Loduca, Senior Vice President, External Affairs & Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer, Pembina Pipeline Corporation. “This essential connection point ensures Canada is competitively positioned to provide reliable and responsibly sourced energy to the world, and Pembina is proud to be a part of that solution. As a member of the Gateway Council, we are committed to ensuring that trade is delivered safely and sustainably so that everyone benefits from the growth of Prince Rupert’s gateway.”

“This study continues to emphasize that the Port of Prince Rupert isn’t just a Prince Rupert story—its an industry that’s growing in communities throughout northern BC and serves a vital link to market for Canada’s farmers and our agricultural industry,” said Jason Fletcher, President, Prince Rupert Grain. “The region continues to prove itself to be a global player and is reaping the benefits of that with strong employment and wage growth.”

“Growth and diversification in the port industry continues to be economically beneficial for northern BC,” said Charles Raymond, President & CEO, Ray-Mont Logistics. “We are committed to ensuring that trade is also delivered safely and sustainably so that everyone can appreciate the benefits of gateway growth.”

“As an enabler of trade, DP World is proud to play a role in the economic growth of the region through our investments in infrastructure and employment creation,” said Maksim Mihic, GM & CEO, DP World (Canada) Inc. “The Port of Prince Rupert is a vital gateway to the North American market – providing Canadian exporters a strong competitive advantage in the Asia Pacific region.”

“The Prince Rupert Port Authority is delighted to see the longterm, successful partnership amongst key Gateway contributors formalized through the formation of the Gateway Council,” said Shaun Stevenson, President & CEO of Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA). “Collectively, the shared vision of a prosperous and vibrant northern BC economy built on a competitive international trade corridor is becoming a reality that is only further strengthened through collaborative effort.”