The Story of Marine Transportation in Niagara, 1969 to Present Day

In this working paper, we tell the store of marine transportation in Niagara, from its incorporation as a regional municipality in 1969 to present day. We take stock of recent developments in marine transportation in Canada, and the implications of these developments for Niagara’s marine transportation sector. Once key to the emergence of Niagara as a corridor for trade and commerce, marine transportation continues to provide opportunity for innovation and economic development. This is especially true given emerging concerns around supply chain efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency in Canada. The legacy of the old canal is finding new life, as well, as local municipalities leverage historic sites to create new tourist initiatives across the region.

Nathan A. Olmstead
Tia Henstra
Charles Conteh

Brock University

September 2023