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History

Sodes in a few key dates

Foundation of Sodes
Founded by the maritime community of Quebec, at the initiative of Hugues Morrissette from the Projet Saint-Laurent. Sodes aims to promote the development of the Quebec maritime industry. From its inception, it positions itself as a leader by bringing together private and public economic stakeholders linked to the Saint-Laurent.
1985
Maritime conferences on development and boating
Organization of four landmark conferences These conferences significantly contributed to the emergence of a true Quebec maritime community and confirmed Sodes' role as a unifying force within this community: • Maritime Commerce and Public Authorities; • Competitiveness; • Saint-Laurent: Horizon 2000; • And Rivers and Planet.
1986-1987-1991-1992
Foundation and management of the Association des croisières-excursions du Québec (ACEQ) and the Conseil québécois du nautisme (CQN)
Two organizations created to defend and promote tourism activities related to the river.
1988 to 1990
First edition of the Prix du Saint-Laurent
A prize that recognizes an organization that has made a remarkable contribution to the development of the Saint-Laurent.
1992
Conference of Mayors about the St. Lawrence
Sodes coordinates the Conference of Mayors, a forum for dialogue between municipal officials and stakeholders from the Great Lakes and Saint-Laurent regions, aiming to harmonize the development and management efforts of the system.
1992 to 2004
Implementation of the Saint-Laurent Users' Code of Ethics
The first structural initiative to raise awareness among maritime stakeholders for better environmental protection.
1994
Creation of the Maritime Advisory Group
Composed of representatives from the Saint-Laurent maritime industry and the Canadian Coast Guard – Quebec region. Its goal is to ensure optimal management and fair funding for dredging, icebreaking, and buoying services on the river.
1995
Creation and coordination of the Saint-Laurent – Great Lakes Maritime Coalition
Defending the interests of the maritime industry regarding the recovery of costs for Canadian Coast Guard services. Creation of the National Maritime and Industrial Coalition, which brings together the industry across Canada.
1997
Creation and management of the Association des croisières du Saint-Laurent
2000
Official recognition of Sodes as the voice of the maritime industry
2001
First maritime and river transport policy of the Quebec government
Establishment of the Maritime Transport Consultation Forum, co-chaired by the Minister of Transport of Quebec and the Chair of Sodes. Created by Sodes and officially recognized by decree, the Quebec Maritime Day is held annually on the fourth Tuesday of October and is recognized in the Quebec government event calendar.
2001
Formation of the National Maritime and Industrial Council
Under the co-presidency of Sodes and the Undersecretary of Transport Canada. The council includes five federal undersecretaries and representatives of maritime associations across Canada.
2003
Sodes and Transport Canada join forces for the National Maritime Conference
This strategic event aims to advance key issues in Quebec's maritime sector, in collaboration with industry stakeholders and public decision-makers.
2004
Creation and launch of Sodes' first large-scale media campaign
This campaign aimed to raise public awareness of maritime activities and the Saint-Laurent River.
2005
Creation and launch of Sodes' first large-scale media campaign
In 2005, the campaign to promote the maritime industry of the St. Lawrence, financed in collaboration with the Ministère des Transports du Québec, was launched.
2005
Creation and launch of Sodes' first large-scale media campaign
In 2005, the campaign to promote the maritime industry of the St. Lawrence, financed in collaboration with the Ministère des Transports du Québec, was launched.
2005
Sodes participates in the creation of the Alliance verte
The objective is to develop and manage an environmental certification program for maritime organizations. Originally proposed in the Saint-Laurent and Great Lakes regions, the program has now expanded globally.
2007
Completion of the Saint-Laurent - Great Lakes Trade Corridor Study
Under the guidance of the Trade Corridor Council. This study highlights major trends in freight transportation, identifies obstacles, and proposes solutions to overcome them.
2008
Sodes conducts a study on the economic impact of all maritime and port activities in Quebec.
2012
Promotion campaign for the maritime industry: Delivered by ship
The campaign aimed to raise awareness among the Quebec public about the importance of the maritime industry and the Saint-Laurent River, highlighting that the majority of goods are transported by ship.
2014
Creation of the Maritime Information System and the Maritime Information Bureau
In collaboration with Innovation Maritime, to collect, process, and disseminate technical, statistical, and strategic data useful to various maritime stakeholders.
2015
Launch of the Maritime Talent Scholarship
The goal is to support research in areas related to responsible maritime economic development.
2015
Study on the external social costs of road transport on Route 138
This study, focused on the section between Tadoussac and Sept-Îles, encouraged the Union of Quebec Municipalities to conduct a similar study for sections of highways 20, 30, and 40.
2018
Establishment of a culture of sharing and dissemination of information
Sodes establishes a culture of information sharing through the daily dispatch of media monitoring and global strategic monitoring.
2020
Campaign to promote "All in the Same Boat"
The aim of the "All in the Same Boat" campaign is to promote the often-overlooked maritime industry, highlighting its essential role in the daily life of everyone.
2020-2021
First edition of the Quebec Maritime Sector Conference organized by Sodes
2021
Development of the maritime vision of the Quebec government, "Avantage Saint-Laurent"
Sodes plays a key role in the development of the Quebec government's maritime vision, Avantage Saint-Laurent, supporting the sustainable development of the sector and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen the competitiveness of the Saint-Laurent.
2021
Annual publication of the State of Maritime Transport in Quebec
Based on data from the Maritime Information System, this publication becomes a reference and a strategic knowledge tool for decision-makers linked to the Saint-Laurent.
2022
Sodes and data sharing within the framework of the intelligent economic corridor
As part of the Quebec government's smart economic corridor project, Sodes launches an initiative for data sharing between maritime organizations.
2022
Sodes and data sharing within the framework of the intelligent economic corridor
Exchange and sharing of data between maritime organizations; Decarbonization plan for Quebec's maritime industry.
2024
Consultez le Portrait de la décarbonation

2024 Sodes

À voter agenda ! AQSM 2025

Marie-France Daoust

Marie-France Daoust is Director of Corporate Affairs at the St.Lawrence Economic Development Council. With more than 15 years’ experience in entrepreneurship, 10 years in strategic management within the Quebec government and 5 years in public and government affairs, she stands out for her leadership and ability to bring people together. In her role, she is responsible for developing business growth strategy, forging strategic partnerships, and mobilizing maritime organizations around today’s major issues.