Port of Montreal expansion project in Contrecoeur: Montreal Port Authority reiterates that soil management meets all applicable requirements

Press release

Montreal, March 13, 2026 — In response to public allegations about the Port of Montreal expansion project in Contrecoeur, the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) wishes to clarify the situation.

The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) confirms that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations. The MPA also reaffirms that the Contrecoeur project is being carried out in compliance with the government approvals obtained and the environmental procedures outlined in the Decision Statement issued by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) in March 2021. This Decision Statement was issued following a rigorous environmental assessment process involving various federal and provincial bodies including Health Canada, MELCCFP (Quebec Ministry of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

Soil management

Soil management on the project site is being conducted within a strict regulatory framework in line with federal and provincial requirements. Federal requirements pertain to work taking place on site, while provincial rules govern the management of contaminated soils off site. The Traces Québec program is used to ensure traceability of soils. Through this process, the MPA complies with all current rules and has obtained the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities.

The MPA makes documents related to the project available on its website in accordance with the requirements of the Agency’s Decision Statement. These documents are also available on the Agency’s website and can be viewed on the project’s dedicated page.

For several months, the MPA has also been sharing public information on work progress, the project schedule and reference documents related to the Contrecœur expansion project. The update on project works page is online and updated to keep the public informed.

The MPA continues its dialogue with the community, including through the Community-Port Cohabitation Committee and the Good Neighbourhood Round Table dedicated to Verchères residents living near the project site. In addition, a page has been set up to allow citizens to submit their questions: Questions about the Contrecœur project — Let’s talk about the project. The MPA will continue sharing information in a professional, transparent and diligent manner, as it has done since the start of the project.

Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the largest container port in Eastern Canada and a diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. The only container port in Quebec, it is a destination port served by the largest shipping lines in the world. It is also an intermodal hub with a service offering that is unique in North America, featuring its own rail network directly dockside connected to Canada’s two national rail networks. The MPA also operates a Cruise Terminal.

The MPA factors economic, social and environmental components into its corporate initiatives. This commitment is governed by a sustainable development policy whose guiding principles focus on involvement, cooperation and accountability. Port activity in Canada supports some 590,000 jobs and generates close to $98.5 billion in economic activity.

Located in an industrial zone, the Contrecœur land reserve was acquired over 30 years ago by the Montreal Port Authority and has been the focus of thorough collaborative planning to support the development of the supply chain in Quebec and the rest of Canada. With the support of its public and private partners, including financial support from the governments of Canada and Quebec, the Port of Montreal is developing an advanced new container terminal able to handle 1.15 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by 2030, when it is expected to be fully operational. At full capacity, the terminal will generate over 10,000 jobs annually. It will include two berths, a large container handling area, an intermodal rail yard connected to the main network, a truck gate connected to the road network, and support facilities. Advantageously located in the country’s main pool of consumers and importers, close to major rail and road routes, the Port of Montreal’s Contrecœur expansion will strengthen a world-class logistics hub in the heart of the St. Lawrence Valley.