It started with a rumor on Reddit. Now, the global fallout of the Epstein Files has arrived at our waterfront.

If you were scrolling through the local subreddit r/newbrunswickcanada earlier this week, you might have seen a post by user GoneInNB asking uncomfortable questions about the CEO of DP World, the company that runs the Port of Saint John and his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. That post was quickly removed by moderators, sparking questions about censorship. But as of yesterday morning, that user has been vindicated in a massive way.

The CEO of DP World, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, has abruptly resigned following the unsealing of U.S. Department of Justice documents that reveal a decade-long relationship with the disgraced sex trafficker, including an email exchange referencing a “torture video.”

For Saint John, this isn’t just international gossip. This involves the man who signed the 30-year lease for our West Side Container Terminal.

Image from US Department of Justice

The “Sultan” and the Torture Video

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem is a familiar face to city officials. In 2016, he was right here in Saint John, shaking hands and promising a $205 million infrastructure upgrade alongside federal and provincial leaders. He positioned DP World as the saviour of our port’s future.

Photograph: House Oversight Democrats

However, unredacted files released this February tell a much darker story. According to reports on the unsealed DOJ documents, bin Sulayem maintained a “close personal” friendship with Epstein long after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution.

The most disturbing revelation came from U.S. Representative Thomas Massie, who reviewed the unredacted files. He confirmed that bin Sulayem was the recipient of an infamous email from Epstein that read:

“Where are you? are you ok, I loved the torture video”

Following these revelations, DP World announced bin Sulayem’s immediate resignation on Friday. The fallout was swift: La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), a massive Canadian pension fund with billions invested in DP World, has suspended all future investments with the company until the situation is clarified.

You have to ask: What does this mean for the stability of the Port of Saint John?

The “Crazy Irvings” Text Message

While the DP World connection poses a real economic threat, the files also shed light on how the global elite viewed our province’s most powerful family: the Irvings.

The documents contain an iMessage exchange from February 2017 where Epstein sends a contact a 211-word bio of Kenneth Irving, the former CEO of Irving Oil. Epstein pitched Kenneth as someone interested in the “networked information economy.”

However, before the conspiracy theories fly, the transcripts clear Kenneth Irving of meeting Epstein. When the contact asked Epstein directly, “Did you meet the Irvings?”, Epstein replied with a flat “No.”

The contact’s response, however, is likely to become local legend. They replied that they were not planning to work for “the crazy Irvings.”

It seems even in the twisted world of Jeffrey Epstein, the reputation of Saint John’s industrial dynasty was enough to keep them at arm’s length. A spokesperson for Kenneth Irving has officially refuted any contact or business dealings.

A Victim in New Brunswick?

Perhaps the most chilling local detail is a piece of physical evidence found in Epstein’s possession: a photocopy of a grade school planner.

The planner features a geography page listing “Canadian Countries” (an error for provinces). Inside, hand-written entries about meetings with “Jeffery” are mixed in with reminders for math quizzes and Shakespeare homework.

This suggests that Epstein’s web of victimization may have touched a student right here in our province, or a Canadian student trafficked abroad. Unlike the corporate intrigue of DP World or the Irvings, this artifact points to a human tragedy that hits uncomfortably close to home.

What Happens Next?

The resignation of Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem leaves a vacuum at the top of the company managing our city’s most critical asset. With major Canadian investors pulling back, the economic shockwaves are just beginning.

As for the Reddit user GoneInNB who tried to warn us before the mainstream news broke? They were right. And it’s a reminder that in 2026, sometimes the most important news tips don’t come from a press release, they come from your neighbours paying attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem?
A: He was the Chairman and CEO of DP World, the Dubai-based company that signed a 30-year lease to operate the Port of Saint John’s container terminal in 2016. He resigned in February 2026.

Q: Did the Irvings do business with Epstein?
A: No. The leaked documents confirm that while Epstein tried to pitch Kenneth Irving as a contact, he admitted he never met him. The other party in the text exchange dismissed the family as “the crazy Irvings.”

Q: What was the “torture video” email?
A: U.S. Representatives identified an email from Epstein to bin Sulayem where Epstein wrote, “I loved the torture video.” The specific content of the video has not been released, but Rep. Thomas Massie described it as “torture porn.”

Q: Will this affect the Port of Saint John?
A: It is unclear. While DP World still holds the lease, the resignation of its CEO and the suspension of investment by major partners like La Caisse (CDPQ) creates financial uncertainty for the company’s future projects.