June 30, 2016 Trois-Rivières, Quebec – François-Philippe Champagne, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and MP for Saint-Maurice—Champlain, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport; Jean D’Amour, Minister for Maritime Affairs, on behalf of Jacques Daoust, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification; Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Montérégie Region; Jean-Denis Girard, MNA for Trois-Rivières; Cléo Marchand, Chairman of the Board of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority (TRPA), and Gaétan Boivin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the TRPA, today announced significant investments for improvements to the Port of Trois-Rivières.
The project involves extending dock 10 towards the east and filling the space between this extension and the current dock 9. The project will increase exterior storage space in this area from 3,000 m2 to 12,000 m2, which will enable increased shipping of a large variety of products and non-containerized general cargo. As a result, this will improve the competitiveness of shipping on the St. Lawrence and of the region’s manufacturing companies.
Extending dock 10 and improving storage capacity are part of the improvements to a multi purpose zone totalling $40 million in infrastructure investments between 2015 and 2017. The Government of Canada has committed up to $16.3 million from the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund. From this amount, $3.6 million is being invested specifically in the dock extension. The Government of Quebec will contribute up to $4.9 million from the Programme de soutien aux investissements dans les infrastructures de transport maritime [program to support investments in maritime transportation infrastructure], adopted as part of the Government of Quebec’s maritime strategy. The Trois-Rivières Port Authority will cover the rest of the project costs, estimated at $18.8 million. In addition to these infrastructure investments, $15 million from the private sector will be provided for handling equipment.
Today’s announcement completes the implementation of the multi-purpose zone. Sheds 24 and 25 have already been completed. The construction of Terminal 13 is ongoing and will be completed at the end of the year. Work on dock 10 will begin in 2016.
Quick Facts
- The Port of Trois-Rivières is one of the largest ports in Quebec and Eastern Canada. Every year, it handles 55,000 trucks, 11,000 freight cars and over 200 merchant and cruise ships from around 100 ports in over 40 countries throughout the world.
- The Port handles over 3 million metric tons of cargo annually.
Quotes
“Improving the capacity and efficiency of the Port of Trois-Rivières will encourage economic growth for businesses and residents of our region. It will also contribute significantly to the country’s competitiveness globally.”
François-Philippe Champagne
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and MP for Saint-Maurice—Champlain, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
“The extension of dock 10 at the Port of Trois-Rivières meets the objectives of the Programme de soutien aux investissements dans les infrastructures de transport maritime, which encourages increased competitiveness in Quebec’s maritime economy and sustainable development.”
Jacques Daoust
Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification
“Shippers will benefit from these improvements and the attractiveness of the Port of Trois-Rivières and the St. Lawrence Seaway will be enhanced. Stevedore companies at the Port of Trois-Rivières will be better positioned to benefit from growth opportunities, both in current markets or new areas.”
Jean D’Amour
Minister for Maritime Affairs
“The Government of Quebec’s financial support demonstrates that it recognizes the strategic nature of the Port of Trois-Rivières and maritime infrastructure in general. With the extension of dock 10, the port will further enhance its competitive position while creating about fifteen quality jobs.”
Julie Boulet
Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Montérégie Region
“The extension of dock 10 is an important project that will increase the number of ships that can be accommodated at the Port of Trois-Rivières while enhancing its attractiveness and competitiveness, factors that will contribute to its growth.”
Jean-Denis Girard
MNA for Trois-Rivières
“I would like to acknowledge the outstanding collaboration of the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec in this project. It is a testimony to their desire to support the Port of Trois-Rivières and our region.”
Cléo Marchand
Chairman of the Board of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority
“Through the effective combination of existing facilities and those to be built, this terminal will support the development of local businesses and generate economic activity nationally and regionally.”
Gaétan Boivin
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority
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Contacts
Delphine Denis
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
media@tc.gc.ca
Melissa Turgeon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification
418-643-6980
Marc Lapointe
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Maritime Affairs
418-691-5650
Amina Chaffai
Regional Policy Advisor
Office of the Minister of Tourism
and Minister responsible for the Montérégie Region
819-609-5451
Marianne Méthot
Political Assistant
Office of the MNA for Trois-Rivières
819-371-6901
Media Relations
Communications Directorate
Ministère des Transports du Québec
Quebec: 418-644-4444
Montreal: 514-873-5600
Toll-free: 1-866-341-5724
Virginie Deschambeault
Director of Communications
Trois-Rivières Port Authority
Office: 819-378-2887, extension 207
Cell: 819-244-8888