Ontario exports through Port Saint John surge amid push to diversify trade

Ontario exports moving through Port Saint John rose 153 per cent in 2025 as the province looks to diversify trade routes and reduce reliance on the United States, the Ontario government said in a release.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt met with Port Saint John officials and industry stakeholders to mark the year-over-year increase in Ontario goods exported through the port to international markets.

“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,” Ford said. “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 provinces say the growth reflects efforts by Canadian companies to reroute supply chains in response to U.S. tariffs, as well as joint provincial action to remove internal trade barriers and invest in transportation infrastructure.

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

In 2025, a total of 8,083 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of Ontario goods moved through the port, with most shipments bound for destinations outside the United States. Of that total, 4,153 TEUs went to Europe, 1,306 to Asia, 954 to the Caribbean, 733 to South America and 670 to Central America. Key exports included vehicles, forestry products, agricultural goods 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 chief executive officer 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.”

Ontario also highlighted recent steps to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, including draft regulations for the mutual recognition of goods and services and memoranda of understanding with 10 provinces and territories on labour mobility and regulatory alignment.

“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.

The province says it is investing $30 billion in roads, highways and other transportation infrastructure to support domestic and international trade and improve access to gateways such as Port Saint John.