B.C. communities, educators, and salmon gain from Seaspan’s support

Seaspan continued to honour its pledge to invest in its surrounding North Vancouver’s communities, the marine environment, and a diverse, inclusive workforce throughout 2023.

The company’s efforts included supporting the (Green Marine supporter) Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Community Salmon Program to help the North Shore Streamkeepers with restoration work at the salmon-bearing Lynn Creek. The creek suffered from troubling drought conditions for several years and received a significant makeover last summer to improve habitat for juvenile salmon. A supporter of the Pacific Salmon Foundation since 2013, Seaspan has contributed $188,500 to date to advance community-based salmon habitat restoration.

Last year, Seaspan was recognized by the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce with an Environmental Initiative Award for efforts across its three shipyards and marine operations. Its programs range from incentives to reduce waste to the exploration of low-carbon fuel alternatives.

To broaden early access to skills training and education, Seaspan joined the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and the Southern Railway of British Columbia in making a combined $5.5-million donation to British Columbia Institute of Technology to deliver trades training to high-school students. The funding will be used to create a new Trades Foundation for Youth Program for students in Grades 11 and 12 at four high schools located in Vancouver, Surrey, Coquitlam and Maple Ridge. The program will be a game-changer for creating opportunities for careers in highly sought trade skills, namely: piping, electrical work, metal fabrication, and marine fitting. 

In 2023, Seaspan donated approximately $100,000 to organizations in support of community programs. Seaspan also raised $200,000 as part of its annual campaign in tandem with the United Way British Columbia, a partnership now spanning more than 30 years to help people dealing with poverty, addiction, health issues, abuse, and other challenges.

Seaspan also teamed up the Museum of North Vancouver to make the region’s history more accessible for educators. The company sponsored an education kit as a free resource available to teachers across British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. The kit’s topics include the story of Chief Dan George and the people and places of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) community.