The Montreal Port Authority confirmed today that Chief Financial Officer Alban Fournier will be departing to take a new job effective April 27 as CFO of 5N Plus Inc., a global leader in the production of specialty semiconductors and high-performance materials. It marks the latest recent corporate management exodus at Canada’s second largest container port.
Earlier this month, the port’s Board of Directors announced (without giving a reason) that Julie Gascon had “ceased her position” as President and CEO occupied since February 2024. Her departure followed shortly after that of Paul Bird, the Chief Commercial Officer who had played a key role in advancing the Contrecoeur container project.
On April 9, Prime Minister Mark Carney broke ground on the project as news was announced of federal loan financing of $1.16 billion through the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) in support of a project whose cost had ballooned to $2.3 billion amid lengthy delays. To be operated by DP World, with construction completion now targeted for 2030, it will handle up to 1.15 million containers annually – boosting existing capacity by 60%.
In a related development today, the Montreal Port Authority announced the appointment of Ronald Haddad, Eng., PMP, as Vice President, Expansion Project.
Mr. Haddad previously served as Senior Director for the Port of Montreal’s Contrecœur expansion project.
Under his leadership, several key phases of the project were successfully completed over the past months.
“In his new role, Mr. Haddad will continue to draw on more than 20 years of experience managing major projects, with recognized expertise in negotiations and in the delivery of
complex infrastructure construction and operations projects,” the MPA said: adding “Mr. Haddad will continue to play a pivotal role in the successful advancement of the Port of
Montreal’s Contrecœur Expansion Project, which will generate lasting benefits for the organization, the maritime ecosystem, and the economies of Québec and Canada.”
(Photos from MPA)