Statement from the MPA on the compensatory measures project for the copper redhorse in the Verchères Islands

Press release

Montreal, November 1, 2025 — Following erroneous information regarding the compensatory development project for the copper redhorse in the Verchères Islands, the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) would like to remind the public that, in accordance with current regulations, a notice of intent was published in the Canadian Impact Assesment Registry on April 29, 2025, “Consult the opportunities for comments by region.” This notice marked “public consultation period” and posted online by our organization, informed the public of the opportunity to comment on the project. 

The public had a period of more than four months—from April 29 to October 9, 2025—to submit comments using the contact information provided. The decision notice published on October 9, 2025, subsequently replaced the initial text. 

In addition, on August 12 and 14, the Montreal Port Authority held two public events in Contrecoeur and Verchères, which were attended by nearly 250 people. During these open houses, we answered questions from citizens about the copper redhorse grass bed compensation project and the Port of Montreal expansion project in Contrecoeur as a whole. 

The Canadian Impact Assessment Registry, administered by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), is a public platform that allows the public to consult all assessed projects and actively participate in them. This process was followed for the copper redhorse habitat compensation project. 

The Montreal Port Authority remains fully committed to working with authorities, experts, and the community to ensure the protection of the copper redhorse and the sustainable preservation of the St. Lawrence River ecosystem. Consequently, it reiterates that it is acting in full compliance with the requirements of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) and in accordance with the public consultation processes provided for by law. 

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.