Premier Ford : The benefits of free trade in Canada could add 200 billion dollars to our economy, add 4-6 percent to our GDP, and create opportunities for workers and businesses across the country

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt met with representatives from Port Saint John and industry stakeholders to strengthen relationships and celebrate the rapid increase in Ontario goods moving through Port Saint John over the past year. In 2025, the total volume of goods exported by Ontario companies through Port Saint John to international markets increased by 153 per cent compared to the previous year, reflecting the success of ongoing efforts to increase trade across Canada and find new markets for Canadian products overseas in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. In 2025, Port Saint John saw a 153 percent increase in goods from Ontario headed for international markets.

The  goods moved from Ontario through the port 

CEO of Port Saint John Craig Bell Estabrooks  says the port has many container services that go on a daily and weekly basis from Saint John to Europe, making transatlantic trade a big focus. “What we have seen is a growth in exports from Ontario to our port and then to markets in the transatlantic. We think that is a special development for us at Port Saint John and it’s something we are very proud of,” said the CEO. The growth in exports has amounted to a near 600 percent increase in goods moved from Ontario through the port over the last 5 years.

Support economic growth, free trade in Canada

The goal is to support economic growth, free trade in Canada and supply-chain resilience. Over the past five years, the volume of Ontario goods moving through New Brunswick’s largest port has increased by nearly 600 per cent. In 2025, Ontario exports accounted for 31 per cent of Port Saint John’s total exports, underscoring the port’s growing importance to Canada’s largest provincial economy and to interprovincial trade.

 New Brunswick is  a gateway to international markets

“Port Saint John is Ontario’s port to the world,” said Holt. “New Brunswick has seen a 153 per cent increase in exports from Ontario moving through Port Saint John, and that momentum is only picking up. New Brunswick is proud to be a gateway to international markets and support free trade within Canada. This partnership strengthens Canada’s economy by connecting Ontario exporters to global markets through a modern, efficient, and reliable gateway right here in New Brunswick. It delivers economic stability today while building long-term opportunity for workers, businesses and communities across the country.” Ontario exports made up 31% of Port Saint John’s total exports in 2025, showing how this kind of collaboration drives international trade opportunities

Goods moving from Ontario through Port Saint John were shipped to destinations outside of the United States

It is noteworthy that The vast majority of goods moving from Ontario through Port Saint John were shipped to destinations outside of the United States. Of the 8,083 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs, equivalent to one standard shipping container) shipped from Ontario via Port Saint John, 4,153 TEUs went to destinations in Europe, 1,306 TEUs went to destinations in Asia, 954 TEUs went to destinations in the Caribbean, 733 TEUs went to destinations in South America and 670 TEUs went to destinations in Central America. Major categories of goods shipped from Ontario through Port Saint John include vehicles, forestry products, agricultural products and metals.

Diversify our trade across the world and not be so reliant on our American friends

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the increase in the amount of Ontarian exports moving through Port Saint John includes major categories such as vehicles, metals, forestry, and agricultural products.

“Over the past year, I’ve worked closely with other premiers including Premier Holt to make genuine free trade within Canada a reality. We have to diversify our trade across the world and not be so reliant on our American friends; that is exactly what we are doing,” said Ford.

Premier Ford identified that the benefits of free trade in Canada could add 200 billion dollars to our economy, add 4-6 percent to our GDP, and create opportunities for workers and businesses across the country.“I know Port Saint John has already seen rapid growth in the last few years and I’m pleased to hear the federal government recognizes the need for even more expansion as soon as possible,” added the Ontario Premier.

.About Port Saint John 

Port Saint John is the largest Atlantic Canadian port by volume, located in New Brunswick. It serves as a major, year-round, ice-free cargo hub and one of North America's fastest-growing container ports. The port handles diverse cargo, including potash, forest products, and oil, while providing critical rail connections (via CN) for shipping to Central Canada and the U.S. Midwest. 

About :Ontario is Canada's

Ontario is Canada's largest market for interprovincial trade and its purchasing power per capita is among the highest in the world, with two-way trade in goods and services between Ontario and other provinces and territories worth over $324 billion in 2024. Ontario will continue to work with its federal, provincial and territorial partners through the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and other trade-enhancing initiatives to further advance interprovincial trade across Canada

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Source : Press - Release + Agencies

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