Community relations
The Port of Montreal will take a responsible approach to the creation of its new container terminal. We seek to establish a dialogue and a collaborative space with all stakeholders, including First Nations, through a range of actions and initiatives.
Listening to our community
In accordance with the decision statement issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Contrecœur project is required to provide certain information and communication mechanisms. Aware of the scope of the Contrecœur expansion project, the Port of Montreal is committed to go above and beyond its obligations by implementing other initiatives and tools for communicating with the community.
Permanent community relations and communications team
Transparency
We have several tools and mechanisms for disseminating information to help you stay up to date with the latest news on the expansion project, according to your preferences. We are committed to providing timely and accurate information about the project’s activities.
Opinions and comments from the public
Formal management of complaints
Our protocols and guidelines for interacting with the community, including our procedures for managing complaints and information requests, will be available soon. Would you like to know more about the Contrecœur project’s public activities? Subscribe to our mailing list to receive information and alerts about work on the Contrecœur project as well as invitations and special communications.
Collaboration with First Nations is dear to the Port de Montreal’s heart. All along the environmental assessment process for the project, the Port of Montreal has consulted and gradually developed relationships with three First Nations: In March 2021, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a favourable decision statement for the MPA's Contrecoeur project. This declaration specifies some 387 implementation conditions, which cover environmental and social issues. More than one hundred of these conditions require the involvement of First Nations. In connection with the Decision Statement, the MPA, for its Contrecoeur project, has the obligation to communicate with, consult and involve First Nations at several levels in the project, for a range of environmental conditions. The Port of Montreal has committed to go beyond its obligations by implementing its Charter of collaboration with Indigenous Peoples. A person is dedicated to relations with First Nations. This person is responsible for maintaining an ongoing dialogue with First Nations representatives, ensures that experts (from the MPA or external collaborators) are involved in order to adequately answer their questions and concerns, and communicates relevant information to them in a timely manner. Meetings with First Nations representatives are held on a regular basis, several times a year to allow for updates and discussions regarding the overall progress of the project and the implementation of environmental conditions. These meetings will eventually involve the future private partner when construction begins. Would you like to know about the Contrecœur project’s construction activities and how they are progressing? Interested in learning more about the actions being taken alongside the construction of the new terminal? Various information sessions have taken place in the past and more will be held at key points in the project, including before construction of the new terminal begins. In addition to providing information about construction timetables, these sessions offer members of the public the opportunity to interact with the project team and share their opinions and suggestions.Collaborating with First Nations
Information sessions
Community-Port cohabitation committee
This committee has been formed to ensure structured dialogue with community stakeholders who are affected firsthand by the expansion project. Consisting of representatives from municipal authorities, local and regional organizations, citizens and project partners, it is backed by a neutral party that keeps it organized and runs its meetings.
The committee aims to:
- Develop a common understanding of what the Port does
- Share the latest info on different aspects of the project and its progress
- Discuss the expectations, concerns and recommendations of citizens and community organizations, and voice opinions
- Make sure that cohabitation solutions related to building and operating the future terminal are satisfactory and, if called for, develop new solutions
- Identify communication strategies and tools to maintain good relations
View the list of committee members (in French)
View the meeting summaries and site visit highlights for the project (in French):
- November 17, 2025 | Meeting summary
- January 12, 2026 | Site visit highlights
- February 5, 2026 | Meeting summary
Good Neighbourhood Round Table – Verchères Neighbours
The Port of Montreal is setting up a good neighbourhood round table for Verchères residents who live within a kilometre of the future container terminal site. The neighbourhood around the project, which is directly affected by construction and operating activities, will benefit from this discussion forum. Here are the round table’s main goals:
- Directly inform our neighbours on how the project is going
- Provide a space for dialogue with Port teams
- Explain initiatives and measures to mitigate and offset impacts
- Answer questions about the project
Moderated by a neutral third party, the round table will feature guest speakers to discuss topics of interest to the neighbourhood. Meetings will be held every quarter.
- Highlights from the December 3, 2025, meeting (in French)
- Highlights from the site visits of February 27 and March 9, 2026 (in French)
- Highlights from the March 26, 2026 meeting (in French)
In keeping with its corporate strategic orientations, the Port of Montreal is always looking for new ways to support its communities. Aware of its role and positive influence at the local, regional and national levels, the Port of Montreal seeks to support initiatives with a lasting impact on the communities in which it operates.Supporting community development
Our tools
The Port of Montreal has a number of tools at its disposal to support its communities:
- A community engagement policy, which makes it possible to enable donations, sponsorships and specific projects in connection with specific corporate objectives.
- Support for specific initiatives to guide land use and development in our communities.
List of supported community organizations
The Port of Montreal supports many different community organizations in and around Contrecœur.
- Événements Diable au cœur : Financial support for Les Diableries de Contrecœur festival
- Colonie Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc : Financial support for the Aspiring Instructor program
- Centre d’action bénévole de Contrecœur : Volunteering and financial support for the annual Contrecœur food drive
- Quartier des Affaires de Contrecœur : Financial support for activities to strengthen local businesses
- Culture C (Contrecœur) : Financial support for activities related to youth and heritage in Contrecœur
- Comité d’entraide de Verchères : Financial support for the annual Verchères food drive
- Maison des jeunes de Verchères : Financial support for activities related to youth development
- Rues principales Verchères : Financial support for activities that support local business development
Becoming partners
Interested in creating a local development project in Contrecœur or its surrounding area, with the Port of Montreal’s support? Click here to fill out the donation and sponsorship request form to submit an application.
Interested in learning more about the social and economic impact of the Port of Montreal? Find out about our initiatives here.
Contact info
- For any questions, check out our website Questions Contrecoeur Project - Let's talk about the project
- You can email us at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - For any complaint or suggestion that does not require urgent intervention, please use the form provided for this purpose:COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS FORM
- In case of emergency, contact the Port of Montreal control centre directly at 514-283-7022 (available 24/7).
