The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) has appointed Jean-Jacques (JJ) Ruest as Chair of its Board of Directors for a two-year term, effective 1 July 2026.
Ruest joined the PRPA Board in December 2024 after being appointed by the Government of Canada in consultation with the Port User Nominating Committee.
He brings more than 40 years of experience in transportation, logistics, international trade and manufacturing. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CN Rail, where he also held the role of Chief Marketing Officer.
Ruest holds a degree in Applied Chemistry from the University of Sherbrooke, an MBA in Marketing from HEC Montréal, and completed the Executive Business Program at the University of Michigan. He received the Railroad Innovator Award in 2021 and was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame in 2017.
Kurt Slocombe, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, said Ruest’s experience will help guide the port as several major projects come online over the next 18 months, strengthening the Prince Rupert gateway’s role in Canada’s economy.
Ruest said he is honoured to serve as Board Chair during a period when Canada is working to diversify its trade relationships. He added that the Port of Prince Rupert will continue working with supply chain partners to strengthen trade links with Asia and support sustainable economic growth.
The PRPA Board consists of seven directors. Municipal, provincial and federal governments each appoint one member directly, while the remaining directors are appointed by the federal government in consultation with the Port User Nominating Committee.
