The South Shore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIRS) and the region’s economic players are preparing for the expansion of the Port of Montreal in Contrecœur and are enthusiastic about the project.
“This large-scale project is poised to transform our economic landscape and consolidate the South Shore’s status as a hub for a more resilient and greener supply chain in Quebec, Canada and North America,” said Jean-François Lévesque, CEO of the CCIRS in a press release.
This press release is supported by other signatories, including mayors of municipalities in the region and representatives of the MRC Marguerite-D ‘Youville, as well as Martin Damphousse, president of the Union of Municipalities of Quebec, Philippe Noël, vice-president President, Public and Economic Affairs of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec, and Véronique Proulx, CEO of Manufacturers and Exporters of Quebec (MEQ).
“We firmly believe that the Port of Montreal in Contrecœur is a strategic infrastructure for the region, and that its expansion constitutes a crucial step for our economic development as several sectors of the future, such as the food and battery sectors, will be able to benefit from an international connection,” added Jean-François Lévesque.
The press release predicts that according to studies, the expansion of the Port of Montreal at Contrecœur will generate more than 8,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase, and will create more than 1,000 permanent jobs once the terminal is operational, ranging from workers to construction to logistics professionals, including environmental specialists and transport technicians.
The Contrecoeur project, estimated at $1 billion, plans to create an ultramodern container terminal capable of handling 1.15 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containers per year.
An opportunity for carriers
The expansion should bring many opportunities for the development of transportation infrastructure in the South Shore, but also for the overall economy of the region. Several local carriers see this.
“We are aware of the contribution that the Port of Contrecoeur will bring to the region,” said Jacques Dulude, CEO of AGD Verchères, a company located in the neighboring town. “We are ready to help the development of the Port of Contrecoeur with our infrastructure and our fleet of trucks.”
This is also the feeling of Patrick Turcotte, the president of Groupe TYT. “As soon as the Port is up and running, all the warehouses and logistics that gravitate around Contrecœur will benefit, but also the restaurants, hotels and businesses that will serve this traffic that is non-existent today. It will be excellent for the region’s economy.”
Both carriers are preparing for the opening of the Port. AGD Verchères notably purchased additional land to create a parking lot and a storage yard. TYT Group has built a warehouse in Contrecœur.
Challenges to be met
Despite the enthusiasm generated by the projects, certain issues arise with the expansion of the port.
Patrick Turcotte predicts that an expansion of the Port of Montreal on the South Shore will help avoid congestion and a lot of roadwork. “It’s certain that having the Port of Montreal in Contrecœur will relieve congestion on the main roads in Montreal. Right now, we won’t hide the fact that Montreal’s traffic is a real nightmare.”
However, Jacques Dulude is worried about seeing an increase in traffic in the area. “It is certain that the road network will be favorable with Highway 30, but we will have to think about putting three lanes from Contrecœur to the 20, because there is likely to be a lot of traffic.”
The CEO of AGD Verchères is also concerned about the numerous delays in the opening of the port as well as the difficulty that certain companies will have in establishing themselves in the area due to a lack of dezoned land.
He also notes opposition to the project from certain citizens, particularly with regard to the environmental aspect. “There have also been environmental protests to protect marine fauna,” underlined Jacques Dulude. “It is an important issue but one which, I believe, has been resolved with the studies which have been carried out. There are still citizens who are opposed to the coming of the Port.”
