The Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA) is voicing “cautious optimism” about a just-released U.S. study into Canadian ports that ruled that Canadian ports don’t have an unfair competitive advantage over U.S. ports.
In a statement, ACPA chair Robin Silvester, who is also president and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver, called the U.S. report “a step in the right direction, as it underscores the importance of ongoing free trade between Canada and the U.S.”
He added that, “ACPA will move forward with cautious optimism that healthy competition, as well as close co-operation, will continue to take place between Canada and the U.S., as it has for many years.”
The U.S. inquiry centered around whether U.S. ports were being unfairly disadvantaged by a requirement that customers pay harbour maintenance tax – which doesn’t exist in Canada.
In his statement, Silvester noted that Canadian ports have different fee structures and are required to be financially independent.
“While U.S. ports fund harbour maintenance through a nationally imposed fee, Canadian ports fund harbour maintenance, like dredging, through harbour dues set by each authority and dependent on cost,” he said.
