Ottawa, Ontario – Cargo shipments to ports on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River waterway generate CDN$60 billion worth of economic activity and 328,500 jobs in Canada and the U.S., according to a new study released today. That breaks down to 181,000 jobs and CDN$26 billion in economic activity in Ontario and Quebec.
The Economic Impacts of Maritime Shipping in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region reveals the economic benefits of the shipping activity along the entire bi-national Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River waterway – the longest deep draft inland navigation system in the world. In 2017, more than 230 million metric tons of raw materials and finished goods were transported by ships to and from ports via the waterway, which includes the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway and the lower St. Lawrence river. This international and domestic cargo was worth over CDN$100 billion.
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport:“The Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, and St. Lawrence River play a pivotal role in Canada’s supply chain, and contribute to our regional and national economies. The Trade and Transportation Corridors Initiative supports such major trade corridors, and allows Canadians to compete in key global markets and trade more efficiently with international partners.”
Bruce Burrows, President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce:“Great Lakes-St. Lawrence shipping is a key driver of the Canadian economy, supporting more than 181,000 jobs and carrying raw materials and finished products on behalf of businesses across the country. This study demonstrates the value of investing in port and lock infrastructure along this key bi-national trade and transportation corridor that connects cities within North America and is a gateway to international markets. The 2017 shipping season saw significant cargo increases fueled by global economic recovery and new business wins. We have great potential to build on this momentum to deliver further economic growth for Canada.”
Terence Bowles, President and CEO of The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation:“The results of this study demonstrate once again that the Great Lakes/Seaway System is a vital waterway, serving as a key part of the North American logistics chain and as an important gateway for trade with over 50 nations across the globe. Moving cargo over water supports an immense number of jobs, eases congestion on our road and rail links, and provides the most energy efficient means of getting tonnage to its destination. Stakeholders win on all counts!”
The study shows that marine shipping on the waterway is used by many industry sectors of the economy including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, energy and construction among others.
Sean Donnelly, President and CEO, ArcelorMittal Dofasco:“ArcelorMittal Dofasco is Canada’s largest flat rolled steel producer. Great Lakes-St. Lawrence shipping provides a critical business advantage for ArcelorMittal and has been an integral part of our operations from the beginning – 106 years ago. More than 185 ships deliver 5.2 million metric tons of iron ore and coal to our Hamilton docks every year for steel production, as well as other materials such as steel slabs and coke. It provides a direct, cost-effective and sustainable way to transport these huge volumes of raw materials. Our success is dependent on the success of our supply chain, including the St. Lawrence Seaway and the ship operators that move our material.”
Carsten Bredin, Vice-President, Grain Merchandising, Richardson International Limited: “The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence waterway is a key export corridor for Western Prairie and Ontario soybeans, corn and wheat. Richardson International ships a significant portion of its grain business through our terminals in Thunder Bay, Hamilton and Sorel to markets in the U.S., Mexico, South America, Middle East and Asia. Our ability to use marine shipping allows us to get goods to market quicker and most cost effectively.”
Phil Guglielmi, General Manager, Redpath Sugar:“Redpath Sugar Ltd, which now stands alone on the Toronto waterfront was first constructed in 1959 to coincide with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Its location in Toronto was specifically chosen to service the Ontario food and beverage processing sector, a sector which generates $41 billion in revenue, exports $7.6 billion in product and provides over 130,00 direct jobs. Redpath as a major low-cost ingredient supplier will continue to be dependent on the St. Lawrence Seaway to provide a safe, environmentally efficient and economical mode of transport for raw sugar from as far away as Central America and Brazil. Each vessel of 20,000 metric tons of raw sugar represents 500 to 600 truckloads travelling over 500 kilometers of strained highways and congested downtown Toronto streets.”
Key findings of the study:
Economic Impacts of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Waterway
|
Bi-national Total (Cdn$) |
CANADA (Cdn$) |
United States (Cdn$) |
|
| JOBS |
328,543 |
181,079 |
147,464 |
| PERSONAL INCOME |
$23.3 Billion |
$9.7 Billion |
$13.6 Billion |
| BUSINESS REVENUE |
$48.9 Billion |
$22.6 Billion |
$26.3 Billion |
| TAXES PAID |
$11.7 Billion |
$5.6 Billion |
$6.0 Billion |
| ECONOMIC ACTIVITY |
$59.2 Billion |
$26.0 Billion |
$33.3 Billion |
Economic Impacts of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Waterway – Provincial Breakdown
|
CANADA (Cdn$) |
Ontario |
Quebec |
|
| JOBS |
181,079 |
70,647
|
110,433
|
| PERSONAL INCOME |
$9.7 Billion |
$3.9 Billion | $5.8 Billion |
| BUSINESS REVENUES |
$22.6 Billion |
$8.3 Billion | $14.3 Billon |
| TAXES PAID |
$5.6 Billion |
$1.9 Billion | $3.7 Billion |
| ECONOMIC ACTIVITY |
$26.0 Billion |
$10 Billion
|
$16 Billion |
About the Study
The study, which uses 2017 data, was carried out by respected economic consultants Martin Associates of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Martin Associates was retained to perform this analysis by a coalition of U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes and St. Lawrence marine industry stakeholders. A steering committee including the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (U.S.), The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (Canada), the American Great Lakes Ports Association, the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Lake Carriers’ Association, the Shipping Federation of Canada, Transport Canada, the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES), and the St. Lawrence Shipoperators Association provided confidential data, guidance and oversight for this study.
The executive summary and full study are available at www.marinedelivers.com.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marinecommerce
About the Chamber of Marine Commerce
The Chamber of Marine Commerce is a bi-national association that represents more than 130 marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as domestic and international ship owners. The Chamber advocates for safe, sustainable, harmonized and competitive policy and regulation that recognizes the marine transportation system’s significant advantages in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, Coastal and Arctic regions.
Media Contact
Julia Fields
Chamber of Marine Commerce
613-294-8515
The Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) is a bi-national association that represents diverse marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as Canadian domestic and international ship owners. The Chamber advocates for safe, sustainable, harmonized and competitive policy and regulation that recognizes the marine transportation system's significant advantages in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, Coastal and Arctic regions.
Media Contact:
Jason Card
Chamber of Marine Commerce
jcard@cmc-ccm.com
(613) 447 5401