Windsor key gateway for economic growth: Study

A national study is looking at Windsor as a key gateway for economic growth.

A study for the Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) is looking at Windsor as a key gateway to support economic growth.

The study said expanding the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) container clearance services to six ports along the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway system would ‘create tens of millions of dollars in regional economic development opportunities across Canada, generate significant new tax revenues, and see all federal investment fully recouped in a matter of months.’

Currently, only five Canadian ports are available for marine container inspection services, which are Halifax, St. John, Montreal, Prince Rupert, and Vancouver.

The CMC said adding these services in Windsor, Goderich, Ont., Hamilton, Ont., Picton, Ont., Quebec City, Que., and Valleyfield, Que.

By only having marine container inspection services at five ports, they said it limits supply chain strength and economic development. Enabling inland ports would help relieve pressure on high-traffic hubs, improve trade efficiency, and enhance Canada’s economic resilience.

The Port of Windsor would bring in $25.9 million in new business income, support EV battery manufacturing, and reduce per-container transport costs by up to $3,000, according to the study.

“Windsor is a critical point in the Canadian supply chain,” said Maguessa Morel-Laforce with the Chamber of Marine Commerce.

“The National Trade Corridor Fund invested to create a container terminal at Windsor Port, which is under construction now. It is the biggest land crossing in the county and its marine facility, Port Windsor, can certainly take part of that load and increase the resiliency and economic potential of the region.”