Government of Canada announces support to relieve supply chains congestion and enhance efficiency at the Port of Sept-Îles

From: Transport Canada

News release

May 15, 2024             Sept-Îles, Quebec             Transport Canada

An efficient and reliable transportation system is essential to making life more affordable for Canadians. That’s why the Government of Canada is investing in strategic infrastructure projects to strengthen supply chains and ensure Canadian consumers have access to the affordable goods they need, when they need them.

The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Diane Lebouthillier, on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant, Pablo Rodriguez, announced an investment of up to $10 million through the National Trade Corridors Fund for the Port of Sept-Îles. The project involves updating the Monseigneur-Blanche terminal at the port to better support marine towing and navigation assistance services for port traffic.

More specifically, the project will:

  • maintain trade volumes by providing safe infrastructure for marine towing services;
  • maintain and secure tugboat operations to better serve cargo vessels;
  • provide the iron and aluminum industry with navigational assistance for the ocean-going ship movements that use the port;
  • maintain the port's supply and export chains;
  • ensure the continuity of cruise ship operations; and
  • ensure the terminal is safe and more resilient to climate change.

The Government of Canada continues to make investments to strengthen the country’s supply chains, promote economic growth and enhance the opportunities for our businesses to expand into global markets. This investment is a long-term commitment to work with stakeholders on strategic infrastructure projects to address transportation bottlenecks, and improve safety, security and efficiency along Canada’s trade corridors.

Quotes

“This project underscores the Government of Canada's commitment to ensuring safe and efficient maritime operations while bolstering Canada's competitiveness in the global market. By addressing critical transportation bottlenecks and enhancing our trade corridors, we are laying the foundation for sustained economic growth and prosperity for all Canadians."

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez
Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant

“As we know, the Port of Sept-Îles is the cornerstone of marine transportation in Quebec, which is why our government firmly believes in its potential. With today’s announcement, we are giving them the tools they need to maintain their momentum, and thus continue to stimulate not only the region’s economy, but also to promote the Côte-Nord internationally.”

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“The Port of Sept-Îles plays a key role in the economy of our city and the entire region. Its facilities are undoubtedly a major strategic asset to attract new industries to Sept-Îles. [Today’s] announcement, which will allow the Port to adapt its infrastructure in response to the challenge of climate change, is excellent news for our community and promises interesting development prospects."

Denis Miousse
Mayor of Sept-Îles

"The modernization of the Mgr Blanche terminal will ensure the reliability and safety of maritime services for our users, as well as the safe and sustainable accessibility of this meeting place, which offers our citizens a unique panoramic view of the Bay of Sept-Îles. This will ensure that the largest mineral port in North America and the second largest in the country in terms of activity will have the quality infrastructure it needs to guarantee the solidity of its supply chains and promote the growth of its exports." 

Pierre D. Gagnon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port of Sept-Îles and
Bernard Lynch, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Port of Sept-Îles

Quick facts

  • An efficient and reliable transportation network is key to Canada's economic growth. The Government of Canada, through the National Trade Corridors Fund, is making investments that will support the flow of goods across Canada's supply chains.

  • The National Trade Corridors Fund is a competitive, merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical transportation assets that support economic activity in Canada. A total of $4.1 billion has been committed to meritorious projects since the program’s inception.

  • Through the National Trade Corridors Fund, Transport Canada is supporting improvements to Canada’s roads, rail, air, and marine shipping routes to foster domestic and international trade.

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Contacts

Laurent de Casanove
Press secretary
Office of the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
laurent.decasanove@tc.gc.ca

Media Relations 
Transport Canada, Ottawa 
613-993-0055 
media@tc.gc.ca

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