Despite the recent container truck strike that affected $700 million worth of goods each week, British Columbians are incredibly positive about Port Metro Vancouver (PMV), according to a poll carried out by Insights West on behalf of Business in Vancouver. And this is especially true for people living in the Lower Mainland.
0Sixty-five per cent of respondents thought PMV’s contribution to B.C. was very positive or moderately positive and only 6% said the port’s contribution was moderately or very negative. Seventy-two per cent described PMV as an integral or major part of B.C.’s economy (5% said it was only minor, and 23% weren’t sure).
“The numbers are incredibly positive,” said Mario Canseco, vice-president, public affairs, with Insights West.
Despite the recent problems, “most British Columbians are saying that they have very good views of the port and they consider it a very important part of the business of the entire province,” Canseco said. “There are a lot of businesses out there that would love to have numbers like this.”
When asked what were the main challenges facing PMV in the next few years labour was the biggest challenge.
“It never looks OK, particularly when you are trying to shine in the international stage, to have a work stoppage that is essentially stopping business. So that’s one of the major concerns.”
But there were also lots of environmental concerns raised with people wanting to ensure the port continued to do things right and have a lower carbon footprint, Canseco said.
The poll was carried out online between May 7 and May 10, 2014.
