Contrecœur Terminal

This flagship project of the MPA will ensure the Port’s capacity to receive and handle an ever-increasing number of containers from around the world while maintaining optimal competitiveness.

On January 18, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) published our environmental impact assessment. From February 27 to March 1, the findings of this study were the subject of federal public hearings. An open house session and two public hearings with a moderator allowed MPA stakeholders to interact with citizens and various groups, answer their questions and listen to the suggestions and concerns. Topics covered included road and rail traffic, economic benefits, the creation of jobs and businesses, the impact on wildlife and plants, shipping operations, noise, the visual environment and air quality. In total, several hundred people attended these hearings, which according to Le Contrecourant regional newspaper were deemed interesting and productive, for a project that was favourably received by the neighbouring political and economic communities. Of the 92 submissions presented, more than 90% were in support of the project.

To oversee the next stages of the project, the MPA created a new vice-presidency exclusively to advance the terminal at Contrecœur. Heading it, Ryan Dermody, Vice-President, Contrecœur is now in charge of guiding and planning the activities related to its successful completion. 

On October 17, the project was explained at the Grand Forum des infrastructures conference, and on October 26, it was presented in detail to members of the shipping and logistics industry at a lunch conference held at the Port of Montreal’s Grand Quay. Before more than 360 people, Sylvie Vachon and Ryan Dermody, along with several MPA executives, discussed the project’s considerable strengths and the current and future issues facing it. For the occasion, the MPA released a new video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LcpOuJlWYE.

On October 30, the project was also presented to members of the shipping industry and the CCIRS – South Shore Chamber of Commerce.

The MPA ended the year addressing additional questions from the CEAA, a vital stage to obtain environmental permits.