The impact analysis shows that port automation and digitization would
have a substantial effect on local economies. In terms of jobs, the
large impact of reduced employment is off-set in a very limited way by
increased indirect employment.

Greenfield Scenario
Fully automated ports , it is estimated that there will be 8,747 fewer jobs across
the census sub-districts, with highest loss evident in the district of
Delta. The estimated job loss across the sub-districts of Delta,
Vancouver and Prince Rupert account for 2% of the total labour force
of 431,975. Further, core job loss in Delta, Vancouver and Prince Rupert
account for 4% of total jobs paying above $70,000 per year. In Prince
Rupert the results are particularly felt as the district would have a
larger proportional impact relative to the overall population.

Losses in employment income would
negatively impact both individuals and the local economy. Not only
would there be a significant decline in wages and salaries for core
and supporting jobs, but decrease in consumer spending would
negatively impact local economies. The termination of employer
contributions to employees’ pension and benefit plans would also
impact them materially. In the most severe case of automation,
employment income would decline by a net value of $628M provincially
and $577M across census sub-districts, when accounting for the loss in
both wages and salaries and loss of employer contribution to pension
and benefit plans.

In the Greenfield Scenario, the provincial impact of revenues is
expected to result in a net reduction of $66.6M in federal tax revenue,
$28.9M in revenue for the British Columbia government, and $8.3M for
municipalities in British Columbia.

It is clear that loss of jobs stemming from automation will have a significant impact
on lost wages for individual workers, but also the communities in
which they live.