FOREST INDUSTRY
Economic impacts by counties of the forestry industry in the Bas-Saint-Laurent area of Quebec
The “Observatoire de la foresterie du Bas-Saint-Laurent” wanted to have a complete picture of the economic benefits generated throughout the Bas-Saint-Laurent region as well as throughout the province of Quebec by the activities of the forest industry in the region. The economic impacts were calculated for each of the eight counties in the region for each of the main industry components (harvesting, sawmills, value-added wood products, etc.), Results demonstrated clearly the importance of the forest industry in the region as well as vulnerability of the economy to any significant reduction in the volume of wood harvested.
COMMERCIAL FISHERIES
Economic impact of lobster fisheries in New Brunswick
The government of New Brunswick wanted to quantify the economic benefits generated by the commercial lobster fisheries. A methodology was developed to collect data from fishermen and fish processing plants. Missing data were provided by the provincial department of fisheries. The simulations done with the economic impact models at the county level (for all 15 counties) did demonstrate that all regions of the province benefited from the activities of this industry which is concentrated along the east coast and the Bay of Fundy.
RECREOTOURISM
Economic impacts of recreotourism activities in the northern Laurentian area
This study was done on behalf of local economic development organizations which wanted to know the benefits generated in the region as well as within Quebec as a whole by the recreotourism industry in the nothern Laurentian area (north of Montreal). Using government of Quebec data about recreotourism activities throughout the province as well as data from previous studies, it was possible to estimate impacts on employment, revenues and tax revenues for both senior levels of government. The study revealed how important this industry really is for the economy of both local counties (Antoine-Labelle and des Laurentides) as well as for Quebec as a whole.
Wind Energy
Development of the windmill industry in eastern Quebec
This study, done for the provincial department of trade and industry, was designed to estimate the potential economic benefits arising from the development of the windmill industry in Eastern Quebec. Of greatest interest ware the potential economic impacts for the “designated area” (Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine and the Matane area) as well as the benefits for Quebec as a whole. Assessment of potential economic benefits was performed for a total of four scenarios, including the development of export markets. The study demonstrated the significant long-term benefits which could arise from the sustained development of this industry.
Hydroelectric energy production
Construction of the Eastmain energy complex
This series of studies was designed to quantify the economic benefits generated by the construction of a series of dams and power generating stations in Northern Quebec. A series of follow-up studies provided estimates of economic benefits as the Eastmain 1 and Eastmain 1-A projects got implemented over a 10-year period.
ENERGY SECTOR
Nuclear Energy
Refurbishment of the Point Lepreau power station
The Pointe Lepreau nuclear station, located in New Brusnwick, Canada is approaching the end of its operational life. A consortium made of engineering firms from Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia was tasked by Energy New Brunswick to look at the costs and benefit of various options. EcoTec Consultants was tasked with estimating economic benefits which could be expected for each of the options in the 15 counties of the province and the country as a whole, by province. Data from the study were used by the client in preparing its recommendations for the provincial government.
AGRICULTURE
Agri-food industry in Nova Scotia
This study was aimed at estimating the economic impacts generated in Nova Scotia by the production and transformation of food products. The economic benefits were calculated for each of the 18 counties in Nova Scotia as well as for Canada as a whole. Several interesting conclusions were reached, including the fact that the agri-food sector generates a rather important number of jobs in several parts of Nova Scotia where few other employment alternatives exist.
Oil and Natural Gas
Production and transportation of fossil fuels
EcoTec Consultants has worked on several reports about the oil and gas industry. For example :
✓ Economic benefits generated for Newfoundland and Canada from the production of the Hibernia Oil Field.
✓ Benefits from the Sable Island Gas Field in Nova Scotia, including the construction and operation of a gas pipeline between that province and northeast United States markets.
✓ Development and implementation of a software to track economic benefits generated in the Northwest Territories, Alberta and the rest of Canada by the construction of the MacKenzie valley Pipeline project.
RESOURCES SECTOR
TOURISM
MINING INDUSTRY
Brunswick Mine
The Brunswick Mine lead and zinc deposit (in northeastern New Brunswick near Bathurst) was considered at one time the largest of its type in the world. After more than 40 years of production, the deposit was almost totally depleted and the mining company undertook a study to scope out the likely economic consequences of the mine’s closure for the local economy as well as the province as a whole. The study demonstrated that the closure of the mine and of the smelter would have very significant economic impacts within Gloucester County. The economic consequences would be especially severe given the median age of mine’s worker’s and the high salaries.
NETWORK OF PROVINCIAL PARKS
Provincial park network in British Columbia
The network of provincial parks in British Columbia is composed of over 500 parks of every size. Some of them have nice falls while others stretch over rain forest areas covering hundreds of square kilometers. The sheer variety of ecosystems and breathtaking scenery attract every year tens of thousands of visitors, including many from the Asia-Pacific region. A series of three studies were done in partnership with a Vancouver consulting firm to assess, using questionnaires and client-supplied financial data, the economic impacts generated in each and every of the 28 Regional Districts of British Columbia.
TRANSPORTATION
International
Cotonou Harbour
Entrance point for merchandises destined to several African countries, the Port of Cotonou makes a major contribution to the economy of Benin. Unfortunately, the port (and the surrounding coastal area), is facing a major issue with siltation of the harbor and coastal erosion. EcoTec Consultants worked to develop economic models suitable to identify and measure the costs and benefits related to various options. Costs and benefits were also identified for various options dealing with the modernization of the dry bulk handling system and the transportation of containers between the Port of Cotonou and the dry port at Tori. Economic benefits were assessed for major capital expenditures related to the project (container terminal, etc.).
Transportation infrastructure
Highways, bridges and ports
A few example of transportation studies by EcoTec Consultants:
✓ Benefits from the construction and operation of a four-lane toll highway between Fredericton and Moncton, New Brunswick.
✓ Economic benefits for the Avalon Peninsula, the province of Newfoundland and the rest of Canada generated by the operations and capital investments of the St. John’s Airport.
✓ The Port of Halifax is the busiest deep water port in Eastern Canada. A large number of containers transit through Halifax on their way to Central Canada and Northeast United States. The results of the study did show that this port is generating significant economic benefits for all regions of the province.
✓ Socioeconomic benefits from the construction and operation of the Confederation Bridge between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, including the impacts on the trucking industry resulting from reduced delays (no need to wait for a ferry).
Miscellaneous studies
Municipal infrastructures, military installations, etc.
EcoTec Consultants has also done quite a few studies for a number of federal and provincial agencies and departments, including :
✓ Economic benefits in the Moncton (New Brunswick) area linked to the upgrading of municipal infrastructure (including water and sewage lines) in the city.
✓ Conduct several studies to assess the economic impacts on the local economies, the provinces and the country expected from the closure of radar stations and other military facilities across Canada.
✓ Participate in a study to track the economic benefits coming out of an economic development strategy based on the implementation of broadband Internet in a mostly rural area of Eastern Ontario.