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The application of economic impact analysis: a case study of Fraser Port

The purpose of this thesis is twofold: first, to review the literature on economic
impact analysis in general, and port-economic impact literature in particular;
and second, to use this background to undertake an economic impact
assessment. The case study for this thesis is Fraser Port, which is located along
the lower reaches of the Fraser River in British Columbia's Lower Mainland
metropolitan region. The port is administered by the Fraser River Harbour
Commission. This thesis is about production, people, and the economic
significance of Fraser Port. This thesis is not an analysis of economic impact
theory, but a review and application of port impact identification techniques. All
data and impacts presented relate to 1992.
Ports perform a necessary function in a nation's trading system by providing a
transshipment connection between land and water modes of transport. As
such, the port is strategically connected to the production of the many goods
passing through its facilities. For this thesis, the impact of the various
commodities passing through the port is termed port-associated.
The port also manifests its presence through its daily operations and generates
numerous employment opportunities both within and beyond the confines of the
waterfront. The economic impact driven by this activity is termed port-industry
and most closely reflects the impact of the working waterfront.
To complete the impact assessment of the port-industry category, a survey was
undertaken to collect sales revenue and employment information. This data was then aggregated into specific industry sectors and a total economic impact
was estimated using appropriate economic multipliers. The result was a picture
of direct, indirect, and induced activity resulting from the daily operations of the
port.
The port-associated category was assessed in a slightly different manner. The
value of each cargo was determined and, where appropriate, was assessed for
the economic activity related to its production. This activity is not generated by
the port, but is associated with Fraser Port through the use of its transshipment
services.
The results of the assessment reveal that the port-industry category generates
approximately one quarter of a billion dollars of provincial gross domestic
product (GDP). This led to a total GDP impact across Canada of close to $275
million. Employment amounted to about 2,113 full-time equivalent positions in
B.C. and nearly 3,400 across Canada.
In 1992, the total value of import and export cargo passing through Fraser Port
was approximately $6.1 billion, $3.8 billion of which was international imports.
The remainder, $2.3 billion, was made up of domestic outbound and inbound
cargoes, and international exports.
It is important to recognize that these two categories of port activity are
measures of different effects. The results of the port-industry and port-associated
categories should not be added to produce a total Fraser Port
impact. Adhering to this recommendation will ensure that the figures, and thus
Fraser Port, will not be misrepresented to the public. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:UBC/oai:circle.library.ubc.ca:2429/5084
Date05 1900
CreatorsTedder, Sinclair John
Source SetsUniversity of British Columbia
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, Thesis/Dissertation
Format5913511 bytes, application/pdf
RightsFor non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.

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