Working Port

I believe that a working port is valuable to the Saint John economy and Saint John identity.  I also see the benefit in creating other economic drivers on the waterfront, including tourism, commercial and residential development.

As the docking capacity of the port is now taken up in part by the cruise terminal, and more will be taken by the secondary terminal and Irving Oil headquarters some segments of the population have expressed their concern.  I understand the ILA’s concern that they are losing ground in the city’s changing economy and can see why they cling to a hope that Long Wharf could be turned into a hub for port workers employment.

I find it heartening, and perhaps the ILA does as well, to see the port busy with commercial traffic of late.  The west side is stacked with containers and, as pictured above, the port land at the south end of Water Street has been busy with cranes and activity for the last few weeks. 

Perhaps a future where the industrial port can co-exist with increasingly non-industrial waterfront uses is one we can look forward to.