BC Ports See Growth, But Warn of Looming Economic Disruption

VANCOUVER, BC – April 09, 2026 – Canada's West Coast ports enjoyed a year of measured growth and uninterrupted operations in 2025, but a new report from maritime employers warns this stability is fragile and at risk of shattering without urgent federal intervention. The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) released its annual report yesterday, painting a picture of a vital economic engine running smoothly while simultaneously sounding the alarm about a looming crisis.

In 2025, total hours worked by waterfront employees climbed to 8.98 million, a six percent increase over the previous year, reflecting strong cargo volumes and a resilient supply chain. This growth spurred the recruitment of over 250 new longshore workers, tradespeople, and apprentices. However, the BCMEA cautions that this positive momentum is jeopardized by government inaction on key labor relations reforms ahead of the March 31, 2027, expiration of two critical collective agreements that govern the entire B.C. waterfront.

"When waterfront operations are predictable and reliable, the entire supply chain benefits, from workers and employers to Canadian businesses and global trading partners," said Eric Waltz, BCMEA Board Chair. The report frames this stability not as a given, but as a precious commodity that is now under threat, casting a shadow over the recent success.

The High Cost of Instability

The BCMEA's warnings are rooted in the recent and painful memory of widespread disruptions. The strikes and lockouts of 2023 and 2024 brought a significant portion of the Canadian economy to a standstill, providing a stark illustration of the consequences of labor instability at the ports, which handle roughly $800 million in cargo every day.

In July 2023, a 13-day strike by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada halted the movement of an estimated $10 billion worth of goods. The economic shockwave was immediate and severe, with the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters pegging the daily cost to the economy at approximately $500 million. B.C.'s exports plummeted by 23% that month, hitting their lowest point since the pandemic began. Industries across the country, from agriculture to manufacturing, felt the impact as supply chains seized up, forcing some shippers to permanently reroute cargo through U.S. ports.

Troubles flared again in November 2024 when a lockout of port forepersons, represented by ILWU Local 514, caused further disruption. While the federal Minister of Labour quickly imposed binding arbitration to end the stoppage, business groups warned of the cumulative damage to Canada's reputation as a reliable trading partner. The key issues in these disputes, particularly ILWU Canada's concerns over the contracting out of maintenance work, remain a source of tension.

A Roadmap Gathering Dust?

In the wake of the 2023 strike, the federal government established an Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) to diagnose the structural problems plaguing West Coast labor relations and recommend a path toward long-term stability. The commission's final report, authored by veteran labor mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers, was delivered to the government in May 2025—nearly a year ago.

The BCMEA describes the IIC report as a "balanced roadmap." Its key recommendations include amending the Canada Labour Code, preserving the right to strike and lockout, and—most significantly—creating a single, B.C.-wide geographic certification for the longshore bargaining unit. This would fundamentally restructure negotiations, aiming to prevent the kind of fractured disputes that have led to past disruptions.

Despite the urgency expressed by employers, the federal government has yet to act. Officials state they are still "carefully evaluating" the report's findings. This delay is the central focus of the BCMEA's current campaign.

"Ensuring reliable port operations is not just an industry priority—it is in the national interest," said Mike Leonard, BCMEA's President & CEO. "If we are to grow Canada's trade, protect Canadian jobs, and remain competitive globally, supply chain reliability must be a national policy priority." With the 2027 contract deadline now less than a year away, employers argue the window for implementing the IIC's complex recommendations is rapidly closing.

National Ambitions Meet Waterfront Realities

The standoff over port stability has profound implications for Canada's economic future. The issue directly impacts the ambitious trade agenda set by Prime Minister Mark Carney's government, which came to power in March 2025. In a major policy announcement last fall, Carney declared a goal of doubling Canada's non-U.S. exports over the next decade—a strategy designed to reduce dependence on the American market and build stronger ties with Asia-Pacific nations.

This trade diversification strategy hinges almost entirely on the efficiency and reliability of the Pacific Gateway. Ports in Vancouver and Prince Rupert are the primary conduits for this trade, handling a combined total of over $360 billion in cargo annually. The BCMEA report argues that without meaningful action to secure long-term labor peace, the government's trade diversification goals will "remain out of reach."

The economic stakes are immense. In 2021 alone, the Port of Vancouver contributed $16.3 billion to Canada's GDP and supported over 132,000 jobs. Any disruption sends ripples across the nation, impacting everything from the price of consumer goods to the viability of Canadian exporters on the world stage.

The View From the Docks

While employers focus on stability and economic metrics, the situation on the ground is more complex. The 2025 growth in work hours and recruitment of new members provided more family-supporting jobs, a point highlighted in the BCMEA report. The waterfront workforce now includes 7,842 active longshore workers and 828 forepersons.

However, the ILWU Canada, which represents these workers, has long expressed deep-seated concerns that it believes the employers' narrative overlooks. Union publications reflect a critical view of the BCMEA, which it has characterized as an impediment to constructive relationships. Key issues for the union include defending its jurisdiction over maintenance work, which it feels has been aggressively eroded, and pushing back against the threat of automation.

Projects like the proposed fully automated Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion are a major point of contention, with the union stating it has not been adequately consulted. With the collective agreements for both longshore workers and their forepersons expiring on the same day in 2027, all parties are bracing for a highly consequential round of bargaining. The union has signaled to its members to stand united, suggesting it anticipates another tough fight to protect jobs and working conditions in an industry undergoing massive technological and logistical transformation.