The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) announces that its application for the permit required to carry out in-water works as part of the Port of Montreal expansion project in Contrecœur has been officially submitted and recognized as complete by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Receiving this confirmation marks a decisive step forward in the project’s progress. The MPA now expects to receive an official response from federal authorities in the coming weeks, as per the existing regulatory timeframe.
This submission is part of a thorough environmental assessment process conducted by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), which resulted in a favourable decision statement in 2021, followed in 2024 by the launch of the necessary permit applications for the in-water project works. Between 2022 and 2024, 10 studies were conducted for the copper redhorse feeding habitat compensation project. Ultimately, the feeding area, which is known as an aquatic grass bed, will be larger. In addition, grass bed plantings are planned before in-water works begin.
“This step shows how thorough our approach is and how well we’ve worked together over the past few years with government authorities, First Nations and all the stakeholders involved,” said MPA President and CEO Julie Gascon. “We’re moving forward with the project fully transparent and in line with the highest environmental standards.”
Environmental offsetting measures
Mindful of how important it is to protect and enhance the river’s ecosystems, the MPA included a set of offsetting measures in its project to minimize the impact of in-water works.
They include:
- Construction of dikes and breakwaters to support the planting of aquatic grass beds for the copper redhorse at Île aux Bœufs
- Creation of 27.7 hectares of fish and aquatic bird habitat in the Boucherville Islands sector, supporting spawning, feeding and shelter for fish species, in place since 2012
- Development of wetlands on Port lands in Contrecœur
- Planting of 40,000 trees and shrubs, including 22,000 planted in 2024 in Contrecœur
- Creation of wildlife habitats for bank swallows (2019 and 2021) and bats (2021)
- Greening and ecological enhancement projects carried out in partnership with local communities
- Rigorous scientific monitoring of the results of the implemented measures
These actions join the commitments already underway by the MPA to promote sustainable development and provide environmental oversight of port activities.
A strategic project for Canadian trade
The Port of Montreal’s expansion in Contrecœur is a key infrastructure project for Canadian trade. Located at the hub of the St. Lawrence—Great Lakes corridor, it will make it possible to meet long-term growth in international trade and to bolster the resilience of supply chains, while supporting the competitiveness of local businesses. They, in turn, will be able to develop new markets without having to go through the United States.
(Image from Port of Montreal of Contrecœur project)