As the Prince Rupert Port continues to grow, so do the northern economies.
The terminal is currently expanding and could possibly be the future site of LNG and propane export projects.
It benefits from being the deepest natural harbour along the west coast which attracts many large ships. It is able to compete with ports in places like Vancouver and Seattle because of how close it is to Asia and the uncongested rail connection.
Because of its success, jobs directly and indirectly related to the port more than doubled between 2009 and 2014. The average annual earnings of a gateway industry worker in that time frame also grew $10,000 to $64,000.
It’s already the 5th largest port in Canada and PR Port Authority Public Affairs Director Ken Veldman says if all goes according to plan, it could grow to be the second largest. He says a win on the coast is a win here in Prince George.
“Sometimes it’s not as evident because it’s not a big factory but there are service jobs, and there are service jobs where we’re competing with ports all along the west coast of North America and we’re competing really well. If we can keep doing that, we’re going to keep growing that’s good news for everyone in northern BC,” he says.
He says Prince George’s rail access has played a big role in the port’s success thus far.
“Not only in terms of direct jobs being here, but also in terms of being really responsible for a big piece of that. Prince George has been very supportive of what’s happened in Prince Rupert at the Port and certainly it’s been a big factor in why we’ve been able to grow the way we have.”
As a major port, some of the most common imports are things like consumer goods, furniture, and electronics, while Canadian wheat, lumber, and metallurgical coal are often headed out of Prince Rupert.