Ontario More Than Doubling Exports Through New Brunswick’s Port Saint John

Provinces working together to support increased trade from across Canada to new markets around the globe

OTTAWA — Today, 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.

“The work we are doing to unlock free trade within Canada and get Canadian products to new markets around the world is at the heart of our plan to protect Ontario from tariffs and economic uncertainty,” said Premier Ford. “Ontario is proud to lead the country in tearing down barriers to interprovincial free trade, signing agreements with 10 provinces and territories, including New Brunswick. As we do so, we’re also supporting the construction and expansion of critical nation-building infrastructure such as pipelines, rail lines, highways and ports, including vital trading hubs like Port Saint John.”

The increased trade moving from Ontario through Port Saint John highlights the growing success of Canadian companies’ efforts to re-route supply chains in response to U.S. tariffs, as well as the ongoing work provinces are doing together to protect Canadian jobs and keep goods moving to new markets. It also emphasizes the importance of continued investments in critical trading infrastructure, such as ports, pipelines, rail lines, highways and airports. Premier Ford and Premier Holt continue to advocate for the removal of internal trade barriers and improved cross-Canada and overseas trade links to build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy.

“The Port of Saint John is Ontario’s port to the world,” said Premier 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.”

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.

“Today’s conversation with Premier Holt and Premier Ford reaffirmed how Port Saint John contributes to Canada’s broader nation-building vision,” said Craig Bell Estabrooks, President and CEO of Port Saint John. “With newly modernized infrastructure and unparalleled connectivity, we’re proud to fuel job growth in Southern New Brunswick and offer all of Ontario new, reliable supply chain pathways.”

Building on Ontario’s national leadership in supporting free trade and labour mobility across Canada, the Ontario government recently took the next step to breaking down interprovincial trade barriers by publishing a draft regulation for the mutual recognition of goods and services from other reciprocating Canadian jurisdictions. This will reduce red tape and accelerate market access by eliminating the need for businesses to meet multiple sets of regulatory requirements that cost Canada’s economy up to $200 billion every year and have held back Canadian businesses for decades. Ontario has also signed memoranda of understanding with 10 provinces and territories to expand labour mobility, reduce regulatory duplication and strengthen internal trade.

“Ontario has taken unprecedented action to expand interprovincial trade and diversify our international exports, and the rapid increase in Ontario goods moving through Port Saint John demonstrates that our targeted efforts are working,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “As Canadian companies look for new market opportunities, our government will continue to set the standard for interprovincial cooperation and foster the conditions necessary for a more resilient national economy.”

To support trade within Canada and abroad, Ontario is investing $30 billion in roads, highways and other transportation infrastructure to ensure goods can reach new trade gateways like Port Saint John while ensuring manufacturers, resource producers and shippers have the infrastructure needed to reach markets across Canada and around the world.

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.

Quick Facts

·                In 2024, Ontario shipped 3,198 TEUs through Port Saint John.

·                Through the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025, Ontario is taking decisive action to reduce regulatory barriers, open markets and strengthen domestic supply chains.

·                Ontario has signed economic cooperation MOUs with 10 provinces and territories, advancing regulatory alignment, improved labour mobility and stronger domestic trade pathways.

·                Ontario is the first jurisdiction in Canada to remove all its party-specific exceptions under the CFTA and remains the only province or territory to have done so.

·                Ontario exported nearly $187 billion and imported nearly $137 billion in goods and services to and from other provinces in 2024.

·                Internal trade accounts for 27 per cent of Ontario’s GDP.