Commitment and outreach
Team and governance
As of December 31, 2022, the MPA had 271 full-time employees. The organization is composed of seven vice-presidencies and a senior management team.
Of these 271 people, 32.1% are women, 11.8% are visible minorities and 0.4% are Indigenous peoples.
The representation of women tends to be lower than labour market availability, especially in male-dominated occupations (such as electrical technician, specialized operator, blue collar worker or seafarer), as well as in professional and management positions. It should be noted, however, that in the last two years, women have accounted for 45% of hires and 60% of internal promotions. Despite a low turnover rate and a majority of traditionally male positions, the representation of women has increased by 9.9% since 2010.
The representation rate of visible minorities is lower than the federal sector in the Greater Montreal area and labour market availability (members of designated groups in the Canadian labour market). This rate is particularly low in the rail operations and blue collar sectors. It should be noted, however, that in the last two years, visible minorities accounted for 29% of hires and 8% of internal promotions. Since 2010, the increase in representation of visible minorities in the organization is 9.3%.
No team members identify with the designated “persons with disabilities” group.
These statistics show that in recent years, the MPA has been diversifying its teams. This has been made possible through numerous internal hiring opportunities and retirements.
MPA employees were called upon throughout the year to participate in the thought process and planning of the MPA's Strategic Plan 2023-2027. A survey was circulated, resulting in the participation of 150 people, the involvement of 62 members of the working groups, six ideation workshops bringing together 45 contributors and two open houses with 80 participants.
The MPA also initiated an engagement survey to evaluate employee perceptions of the following elements: the organization, work relations and professional fulfillment. The main strengths identified were the sense of belonging in the workplace, the social impact of the organization, and safety at work. The main concerns raised were employee equity, performance management and work tools.
A family event was organized to introduce employees' relatives to Port activities and the various trades. It attracted 300 visitors.
To develop an OHS culture in the workplace, a health and safety action plan was developed for the next five years.
Among the initiatives deployed, as part of the wharf repair project, teams repaired the nose coping and bump posts to make dockside operations safer. In addition, a prevention guide for contractors was written.
Health and safety procedures were updated, particularly with respect to track work and event reporting processes. Training was provided on the following topics:
- Roles and responsibilities of the person assigning the work to be done
- Accident investigation and analysis
- OHS supervisor and coach
The number of work-related accidents remained stable compared to 2021 (six). In total, there were 118 events in 2022 with a closure rate of 92%, out of a target of 90%.
The Port of Montreal adopted responsible procurement practices, including social responsibility clauses in its procurement processes. In 2022, 94% of government calls for tenders (by value) include sustainable development elements, notably concerning inclusion and collaboration with Indigenous peoples, environmentally responsible procurement, encouragement of the social economy, and a policy to prevent workplace harassment.
All tenders with a selection committee include a sustainable development criterion evaluated between 5 and 10 points unless otherwise indicated.
The Port of Montreal is also a signatory of the municipal commitment to purchase products and services from social economy enterprises entitled “L’économie sociale, j’achète!”
Connecting
To keep its stakeholders informed about its news and activities, in 2022 two editions of Logbook magazine and 41 news articles in the Port Info express newsletter were issued to the 7,061 subscribers on the mailing list.
News was shared on the social media channels followed by 59,072 subscribers across all of our platforms, marking an increase of 6,729 subscribers over 2021. Over 670 posts were made, generating over 400 messages and comments.
The second phase of the Anchored in Your Daily Life communication campaign was introduced to raise awareness of the impact of Port operations among the population. To target the regions, the campaign was rolled out in several regions outside of Montreal, including Saint-Hyacinthe and Ottawa/Gatineau. Posters and billboards were on display for between 28 and 77 days, in addition to a social media campaign.
Several meetings were organized to inform stakeholders and neighbouring communities about the projects underway. Specifically, the Port of Montreal held meetings with the Good Neighbourhood Committee, the Mercier Est City-Port Interface Working Group and the City-Port Committee. It also actively participated in the following consultation tables: Assomption Sud-Longue-Pointe and Bridge-Bonaventure and Centre-Sud.
The MPA continued its efforts during the year to maintain a dialogue with representatives of Indigenous peoples.
Following the environmental assessment process for the Contrecœur project, the MPA continued discussions with three First Nations: the Grand Council of the Waban-Aki Nation, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and the Huron-Wendat Nation. Several consultation meetings were held and Indigenous peoples were invited to visit the Montreal port facilities. Additionally, there were two meetings of the Environmental Committee which brings together its First Nations members and experts, making it possible to have targeted discussions on specific issues. Lastly, Indigenous peoples have been invited to participate in the various environmental field work projects on the Contrecœur site.
The Port of Montreal joined the Great Circle of Commitment for the full participation of Indigenous Peoples in the Quebec economy. By signing this Declaration, the Port of Montreal formally pledged to contribute to this movement, whose objective is the creation of wealth for, by and with Indigenous peoples. The MPA also explored various avenues of collaboration with its First Nations partners to define collaborative processes that can facilitate the inclusion of indigenous businesses.
The MPA also set up a working group to reflect on an indigenous engagement charter to clearly outline its commitments towards them.
Through its public events such as Port in the City and the Grand Quay’s public spaces, the Port of Montreal opens itself up to the public and provides quality spaces as well as points of contact with port activities so as to make port activities more familiar.
For example, the roving Port in the City container participated in a total of 19 days of events, 6,000 interactions with the public and got 165 people to board bus tours of the Port.
The All aboard! exhibition at the Port Centre welcomed 19,142 visitors.
Altogether, 87 private events were held in the Grand Quay's rental rooms (Terminal 1, Pavilion, Port Centre and outdoor spaces), the highest number of events since the site opened. The Grand Quay's public spaces, including Commencement Square and the green roof, received 368,756 visits, up 25% over 2021.
In support
MPA employees were active in various fundraising events for several charitable causes: a workplace campaign for the United Way raised $20,400; a team of 14 cyclists raised $12,929 in the MS Bike Tour for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada; 13 MPA employees participated in the Mudgirl event for breast cancer; five employees participated in the Desgagnés Kayak Challenge; and several team members helped raise $6,745 in the Active Mother-Daughter Challenge.
Furthermore, employees took part in several volunteer activities in the community, including a shoreline cleanup event in Verdun, a Christmas basket distribution in Hochelaga, and a food drive for the disadvantaged at Christmas in Contrecœur.