North meets shore: Canadian utilities answer New Jersey’s call

When Hurricane Sandy struck New Jersey in 2012, Canada didn’t hesitate. More than 500 Canadian utility workers from Hydro-Québec, Hydro One, New Brunswick Power, and Nova Scotia Power mobilized in convoys of over 200 bucket and support trucks.

Working side-by-side with PSE&G, JCP&L, and Atlantic City Electric, Canadian crews helped bring electricity back to communities where 2.6 million customers had lost power, the largest outage in state history. For days and nights, these joint teams cleared thousands of downed lines, rebuilt damaged substations, and returned heat and light to homes, hospitals, and seniors’ residences across the Shore and inland counties.

The experience forged lasting bonds between Canadian and New Jersey utilities, strengthening mutual-assistance agreements, inspiring joint storm-hardening practices, and creating a pattern of cross-border deployments during major nor’easters and coastal storms. What began as an emergency became a partnership emblematic of how Canadians and Americans support one another.

CGI expands in New Jersey

Headquartered in Montreal, CGI is among the world’s largest independent IT and business consulting services companies. In 2022, CGI expanded its presence in New Jersey to over 250 employees through a new regional head office in Middlesex County. “CGI is pleased to establish a location in New Brunswick and join a community that has a rich history in technology innovation and education,” said Mike Reagan, SGI Senior VP. The new office includes collaborative space to foster CGI’s mentorship programs, including work with the New Brunswick PTECH High School program, a STEM-based, public-private partnership intended to establish a clear pathway from high school to college and then to a career. It’s another example of Canadian investment helping grow jobs, talent, and innovation in New Jersey.

Canadian investment expands U.S. aviation training

To meet growing demand, CAE has expanded its Northeast Training Center in Morristown, New Jersey, growing from 6 to 15 simulator bays and training over 5,000 pilots annually. The facility, which employs 230 people, provides critical pilot, technical, and flight crew training for business aviation worldwide.

Quebec-based CAE opened the only Canadian-owned training center in the U.S. Northeast in 2007. Its continued investment highlights Canada’s role in strengthening U.S. aviation, enhancing safety, and supporting workforce development.

New Jersey exports $7.3 billion in goods to Canada annually
New Jersey exports to Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 19%
• Chemicals: 26%
• Equipment & machinery: 16%
• Minerals & metals: 21%
• Plastics & rubbers: 8%
• Other: 10%

Top New Jersey goods exports to Canada

• Pearls, gems, precious metals & jewelry: $1.0 billion
• Plastics & plastic articles: $564 million
• Perfumes, essential oils & toiletries: $497 million
• Pharmaceutical products: $360 million
• Fruits & nuts: $290 million
• Organic chemicals: $276 million
• Copper & copper articles: $212 million
• Optical, medical & precision instruments: $179 million
• Cocoa & chocolate: $176 million
• Fuel oil: $166 million

New Jersey exports $2.4 billion in services to Canada annually
Top New Jersey services exports to Canada

• Business services: $1.0 billion
• Travel (including for education): $433 million
• Charges for the use of intellectual property: $421 million
• Telecommunications, computer & IT services: $136 million
• Transport: $129 million

New Jersey imports $8.3 billion in goods from Canada annually
New Jersey imports from Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 25%
• Chemicals: 12%
• Energy: 15%
• Equipment & machinery: 5%
• Forest products: 7%
• Minerals & metals: 15%
• Plastics & rubbers: 6%
• Transportation: 8%
• Other: 7%

Top New Jersey goods imports from Canada

• Copper & copper articles: $743 million
• Fuel oil: $733 million
• Plastics & plastic articles: $450 million
• Paper & paperboard: $432 million
• Crude petroleum: $403 million
• Perfumes, essential oils & toiletries: $336 million
• Pasta, breads & cereal preparations: $321 million
• Automobiles: $317 million
• Animal meats: $305 million
• Pharmaceutical products: $292 million