Update on construction timeline for the Port of Montreal Contrecœur Expansion Project

Press release

Montreal, July 29, 2025 — The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has submitted its notice of intent to begin preliminary construction work for the Port of Montreal’s Contrecœur expansion as early as September 29, 2025, pending receipt of the final required approvals.

“This step allows us to meet the conditions required to move forward with a project that positions Quebec and Canada more strongly to diversify international trade,” said Julie Gascon, President and CEO of the MPA. “Once all the necessary approvals are in place, we’ll be ready to begin work on this major strategic project that is essential to the future of our supply chains.”

The initial work will focus primarily on preparing the project site for more significant construction activities which could take place, in 2026. All work remains contingent upon receiving the appropriate regulatory approvals. The full project timeline and a description of the planned activities are available on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry website.

As this new implementation phase begins, the MPA will continue its collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the project’s success while rigorously and responsibly mitigating its impacts, in accordance with the project requirements and commitments made by the MPA.

The Contrecœur expansion will strengthen Canada’s logistics network to meet tomorrow’s supply chain needs. It will provide Quebec and Canada with a critical piece of infrastructure that supports economic sovereignty and enables businesses to diversify their import and export markets. Once completed, the new terminal will significantly increase container-handling capacity, with operations expected to begin by 2030.

To keep the public informed about the project’s progress and planned mitigation measures, the MPA has already hosted several public information events in Contrecœur and Verchères (including in May 2017, June 2021, and June 2024). These will be followed by two additional public information sessions, scheduled for August 12 and 14, 2025, in Contrecœur and Verchères, respectively.

All residents are invited to attend to learn about upcoming site preparation activities.

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 $93.5 billion in economic activity.