Brossard, June 17, 2024 – The South Shore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIRS) and the region’s key economic players are actively preparing for the highly anticipated expansion of the Port of Montreal in Contrecœur. This large-scale project is about to transform our economic landscape and strengthen the South Shore’s status as a hub for a more resilient and greener supply chain in Quebec, Canada, and North America.

The expansion of the Port of Montreal in Contrecœur is a project of paramount importance, not only for our region but also to support the development of imports and exports for businesses in Quebec and Ontario, allowing them to conquer the world from the South Shore. The Port of Montreal, already one of the largest ports in North America, sees this project as an opportunity to increase its container handling capacity and meet the growing demand as the global population and economy expand.

Valued at over one billion dollars, the project includes the creation of a state-of-the-art container terminal capable of handling 1.15 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually.

A Major Positive Impact

The economic impact of this project on the South Shore of Montreal is significant. According to studies, the expansion of the Port of Montreal in Contrecœur will generate over 8,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase and create more than 1,000 permanent jobs once the terminal is operational. These jobs span a wide range of skills, from construction workers to logistics professionals, environmental specialists, and transportation technicians.

Moreover, the increased port capacity is expected to further develop infrastructure, facilities, and transportation, distribution, and logistics capabilities in the region, in addition to attracting new businesses and investors, thereby strengthening the South Shore’s economic fabric.

Local businesses, particularly those in the manufacturing and distribution sectors, will benefit from improved access to international markets, reducing transportation costs and enhancing their competitiveness with a lower carbon footprint.

Strong Support from Economic Leaders

The South Shore’s economic leaders strongly support this project and express their eagerness to see it become a tangible reality. We firmly believe that the Port of Montreal in Contrecœur is a strategic infrastructure for the region, and its expansion is a crucial step for our economic development, as several future-oriented sectors, such as the food and battery industries, will benefit from an international connection.

Many of our members and partners have already begun implementing initiatives to maximize the advantages of this expansion. Additionally, we are working closely with local municipalities, educational institutions, and economic development organizations to ensure the project’s seamless integration into our region.

A Promising Future for the South Shore

In conclusion, we are convinced that the expansion of the Port of Montreal in Contrecœur represents a historic opportunity for the South Shore. This project will not only stimulate the regional economy but also position the area and its stakeholders as a leading logistics and commercial hub in North America. We are ready to embrace this transformation and realize its full potential, benefiting our businesses and communities.

Jean-François Lévesque
CEO
South Shore Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Autres signataires de cette lettre

Maud Allaire

Mairesse de la ville de Contrecœur

Alexandre Bélisle

Maire de la municipalité de Verchères

Sylvain Berthiaume, Directeur général

MRC de Marguerite-D’Youville

Martin Damphousse

Maire de la ville de Varennes, Président de l’Union des municipalités du Québec et Préfet suppléant de la MRC de Marguerite-D’Youville

Mario Lemay

Maire de la ville de Sainte-Julie

Philippe Noël, Vice-président, Affaires publiques et économiques

Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec

Daniel Plouffe

Préfet de la MRC de Marguerite-D’Youville et maire de la municipalité de Calixa-Lavallée

Véronique Proulx, Présidente-directrice générale

Manufacturiers et exportateurs du Québec (MEQ)

Stéphane Williams

Maire de la ville de Saint-Amable

À propos de la Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de la Rive-Sud : 

Depuis 1959, la Chambre agit comme catalyseur de la croissance économique de la Rive-Sud, en plus d’être un porte-parole reconnu auprès de la communauté d’affaires, du public et des différents paliers de gouvernement.  

Elle exerce une influence significative en mobilisant et en donnant une voix aux entreprises et aux acteurs économiques de son territoire, établissant ainsi sa position en tant que réseau indispensable pour la communauté d’affaires de la seconde région économique en importance au Québec. 

 —

Pour tout renseignement ou demande d’entrevue :

Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de la Rive-Sud
Annabelle Lacroix, Conseillère – Communications et marketing
communications@ccirs.qc.ca / 450-463-2121,poste 224