Port Saint John sees steady increase in Ontario exports
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and president and CEO of Port Saint John Craig Bell Estabrooks met in Ottawa today to announce the increase of Ontario goods being exported through Port Saint John in the last year.
In 2025, Port Saint John saw a 153 per cent increase in goods from Ontario headed for international markets.
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,” Estabrooks said.
The growth in exports has amounted to a nearly 600 per cent increase in goods moved from Ontario through the port over the last five years.
Premier Susan Holt said during the news conference that New Brunswick is playing a critical role in world-class shipping hubs and helping build the Canadian economy, which will bring Canada to global markets.
“Our continuous investment in Port Saint John and its growth ensures economic stability – not just for today – but for the long-term, making New Brunswick a cornerstone of Canada’s trade network,” Holt said.
“When provinces work together, Canada competes and wins.”
Ontario exports made up 31 per cent of Port Saint John’s total exports in 2025, showing how this kind of collaboration drives international trade opportunities.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the increase in the amount of exports from his province 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,” Ford said.
Premier Ford identified the benefits of free trade in Canada could add $200 billion to our economy, add four to six per cent 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,” Ford said.
The update is good news for workers in Ontario and New Brunswick, but Ford says there is more work to be done. He says the country needs to double down on the plan to build and upgrade national infrastructure that will help Canadian goods reach new markets.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Premier Holt, industry leaders, my fellow premiers, and the prime minister as we build a stronger, more resilient, more competitive and more united Canadian economy so we can protect our workers from sea to sea to sea.”
