VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) was tipped as one of B.C.’s Top 30 Employers for 2007 as part of the Maclean’s Magazine top Canadian employer survey.

More than 6,000 businesses from across the country were invited to compete in the Maclean’s top employer survey, with the VPA being named to one of B.C.’s coveted 30 spots.

“The VPA is proud to achieve this mark of distinction amongst British Columbia’s top employers. It highlights our commitment to excellence and the importance of our employees and our business,” said the VPA’s president and CEO, Captain Gordon Houston.

Selection was based on community and charitable involvement as well as seven key criteria including; physical workplace; work and social atmosphere; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; and training and skills development.

“As we focus our efforts towards a sustainable port and the health of our port communities, we want to ensure that we continue to offer exceptional working conditions for our people,” said Lori Lindahl, vice-president, corporate services.

The VPA directly employs 165 staff. Port activities generate approximately 70,000 jobs across Canada representing approximately $3 billion in wages.

The Port of Vancouver is the largest port in Canada trading $43 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies annually.