The expansion of the Port of Montreal is one of the five key infrastructure projects prioritized by Prime Minister Mark Carney for expedited development through the newly established Major Projects Office (MPO).
During a speech in Edmonton, Carney emphasized that expanding the current terminal at the Contrecœur Terminal project aims to enhance commerce diversity, access new markets, and reduce operational costs for Canadian businesses. The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) disclosed that the project intends to boost the port’s container handling capacity by 60%, accommodating 1.15 million containers as the existing terminal nears full capacity.
The initiative involves erecting a new terminal in Contrecœur, Quebec, around 36 kilometers northeast of Montreal, along with a railway yard and other essential infrastructure. The MPA mentioned that the land for the expansion was acquired in the late 1980s, with the project’s inception spanning over a decade.
Julien Baudry, a spokesperson for the MPA, noted that construction is set to commence by the end of the month, pending final negotiations with the contracted company overseeing preliminary activities. Baudry emphasized the significance of the Major Projects Office’s role in streamlining the complex project phases to ensure operational readiness by 2030.
The establishment of the Major Projects Office was a result of Carney’s One Canadian Economy Act, or Bill C-5, aimed at expediting the launch of “nation-building projects.”
Regarding project adjustments, Canadian Economy Minister Dominic LeBlanc referred the Port of Montreal expansion to the MPO to assist the MPA in securing a remaining permit from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The MPA awaits feedback from the agency after completing the permit application process.
If officially designated as of national interest by the MPO, the federal cabinet could exempt the expansion project from specific laws and regulations, including environmental statutes, to facilitate its progress. LeBlanc highlighted ongoing efforts to finalize necessary steps in collaboration with the Port of Montreal.
Opponents of the project have raised concerns, with a Quebec environmental advocacy group challenging the constitutionality of Bill C-5 in court, particularly objecting to the extensive powers granted to the MPO and LeBlanc. LeBlanc affirmed that the legislation upholds environmental assessment standards without compromise.
Notably, the construction slated for fall does not hinge on the DFO permit, although final approval from the agency is crucial before any water-related construction activities commence. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada concluded a comprehensive environmental evaluation of the MPA’s plan in 2021, outlining stringent conditions for compliance to mitigate adverse environmental impacts.
Local resident Hélène Reeves, representing the Vigie citoyenne Port de Contrecœur, expressed reservations about expediting the MPA’s expansion plan, citing environmental and residential concerns due to increased transportation activities between Contrecœur and Montreal. Reeves underscored the necessity of evaluating the St. Lawrence River’s health before embarking on further development projects in the region.