Vancouver: A new study indicates the Port of Vancouver forms a major component of the tax base of the municipalities it borders. The study, written by InterVISTAS Consulting and prepared for the Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) shows port property taxes comprise up to 23 per cent of the tax base of port municipalities. "Municipalities have a vested interest in the success of port business. This study conclusively demonstrates the economic benefits that the Port of Vancouver injects directly into municipal coffers," said Captain Gordon Houston, President and Chief Executive Officer, VPA. "The Port of Vancouver is a vital contributor to municipalities. In 2003, port property taxes totaled $156 million across Canada with $118 million for Greater Vancouver municipalities."

The Port of Vancouver borders on eight municipalities. In 2003, port property taxes accounted for 23 per cent of budgeted tax revenues in the City of North Vancouver, 20 per cent in the District of North Vancouver, 16 per cent in the City of Port Moody, 8 per cent in the Corporation of Delta, 5 per cent in the City of Vancouver, 3 per cent in the City of Burnaby, 2 per cent in the District of West Vancouver and 1 per cent in the Village of Belcarra.

"As we move forward with ambitious plans to make transportation a leading industry for this region, it's clear we all have a stake in ensuring the Port of Vancouver remains competitive and prosperous and receives the cooperation necessary to help us realize this goal," Houston said. "Progress has been made to date with recent changes to port municipal taxation and we commend the provincial government for this initiative, which has helped spur local investment in terminals and infrastructure."

The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified port, trading $29 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies each year. Port activities generate 62,000 jobs in total with $1.6 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $3.5 billion in economic output. Last year, 66.7 million tonnes were shipped through the Port of Vancouver.
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Port of Vancouver Property Tax Contribution to Municipal Tax Revenues in 2003

Municipality/Region% of Municipal Tax Revenues

Greater Vancouver
Anmore, Village of 2.4%
Belcarra, Village of 1.1%
Bowen Island 0.0%
Burnaby, City of 3.1%
Coquitlam, City of 2.1%
Delta, Corporation of 7.8%
Langley, City of 2.6%
Langley, Township of 1.6%
Lions Bay, Village of -
Maple Ridge, District of 2.8%
New Westminster, City of 1.6%
North Vancouver, City of 23.4%
North Vancouver, District of 20.4%
Pitt Meadows, District of 3.2%
Port Coquitlam, City of 4.1%
Port Moody, City of 16.4%
Richmond, City of 1.9%
Surrey, City of 2.7%
Vancouver, City of 4.6%
West Vancouver, District of 2.6%
White Rock, City of 1.2%

Fraser Valley
Abbotsford, City of 0.7%
Chilliwack, City of 0.4%
Harrison Hot Springs 0.3%
Hope, District of 2.6%
Kent, District of 9.1%
Mission, District of -

Squamish-Lillooet
Lillooet, District of 0.2%
Pemberton, Village of 0.1%
Squamish, District of 0.7%
Whistler, Municipality of 0.2%


Total Property Tax Generated by the Port of Vancouver in 2003 by Municipality or Region

Municipality/Region 2003 Property Taxes ($ Thousands)

Greater Vancouver
Anmore, Village of $32
Belcarra, Village of $13
Bowen Island -
Burnaby, City of $7,693
Coquitlam, City of $3,156
Delta, Corporation of $9,371
Langley, City of $606
Langley, Township of $1,370
Lions Bay, Village of $20
Maple Ridge, District of $1,546
New Westminster, City of $951
North Vancouver, City of $11,332
North Vancouver, District of $18,572
Pitt Meadows, District of $420
Port Coquitlam, City of $2,178
Port Moody, City of $4,115
Richmond, City of $4,485
Surrey, City of $7,300
Vancouver, City of $42,589
West Vancouver, District of $2,208
White Rock, City of $258
Total Greater Vancouver $118,215

Fraser Valley
Abbotsford, City of $733
Chilliwack, City of $228
Harrison Hot Springs $7
Hope, District of $165
Kent, District of $569
Mission, District of $232
Total Fraser Valley $1,934

Squamish-Lillooet
Lillooet, District of $15
Pemberton, Village of $2
Squamish, District of $154
Whistler, Municipality of $146
Total Squamish-Lillooet $317

Rest of Canada
Other British Columbia $14,467
Alberta $13,853
Saskatchewan $2,982
Manitoba $3,651
Ontario $174
Quebec $107
Total British Columbia $134,933
Total Canada $155,700

The complete report in Adobe Acrobat can be read here:


Port of Vancouver Property Tax Study [PDF | 3732 KB]



For more information, please contact:

Anne McMullin,
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Vancouver Port Authority
(604) 665-9069 (office)
(604) 665-9073 (fax)
(604) 218-1403 (cellular)
anne.mcmullin@portvancouver.com

For more information:
For more information on any of these stories, call 1-888 PORTVAN.
Or, send an email to:
public_affairs@portvancouver.com