Ontario more than doubling its exports through Port Saint John

More products from Ontario will be shipped through the Port of Saint John.

Fresh off the heels of completing a $247 million modernization project, Port Saint John has taken full advantage in welcoming more customers looking to get there goods to global markets.

Through continued efforts by both provincial and federal levels of governments to remove red tape around interprovincial trade, Ontario has jump at the chance to get its good to new markets through the Bay of Fundy. A big driver of the change also has to do with Canada’s overall efforts to expand trade with markets outside of the United States.

In the past year, the province of Ontario has more than doubled its exports through the New Brunswick port, increasing by 153 per cent from 2024 to 2025. Ontario accounted for 31 per cent of the port’s total exports in 2025.

“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,” says Ontario Premier Doug 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 most notable goods being exported from Ontario through the port include vehicles, agricultural and forestry products, as well as metals.

Overall, Ontario exports out of the New Brunswick port has increased 600 per cent in the last five years.

During a media availability in Ottawa highlighting the increase in Ontario goods, Port Saint John President and CEO Craig Bell Estabrooks says he hopes to see that number continue to grow after meeting with Ontario industries.

“Our whole goal is so people understand our gateway, understand the services that we provide at the Port of Saint John,” Bell Estabrooks says. “And perhaps we can open a new market for industry and specific companies, so that’s one of the main reasons we want to be here.”

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt highlighted the critical role Port Saint John is playing in Canada goal to diversify its trade through its world class shipping hubs. She says continued investment into the port will mean economic stability in both the near and short term.

She says that makes New Brunswick a key cornerstone in Canada’s plans to grow its exports outside the U.S.

“New Brunswick is proud to be a gateway to international markets and support free trade within Canada,” says Premier Holt. “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.”

The premier says when provinces work together it’s a win for all Canadians.

She says provinces will continue to work together to knock down trade barriers and look at ways to increase exports. That will be a focus when the Premiers meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney Thursday.

“Those opportunities to collaborate and create a connected economy coast to coast to coast that gets our resources to markets all over the world, we want to find those opportunities collaboratively and build those projects together,” Holt says.

Thursday will mark the inaugural First Minister’s meeting of 2026.

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