Article published on the Quebec’s Maritime Strategy on the ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie (International relations ministry) website:
Open to the world
With its first Maritime Strategy, Québec will be articulating a vision for the future of its economic development, a vision based on its strengths, the diversity of its territory and its natural resources.
By focusing on its waterways, especially the St. Lawrence River, the most majestic of them all, Québec wants to develop its full potential in order to take advantage of the many emerging opportunities in international maritime transport:
- The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union together with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
- The expansion of the Panama Canal
- The opening of the Northwest Passage, which will link the Atlantic to the Pacific
- The increasing number of international cruises
- Advances in marine biotechnology
With its Maritime Strategy, Québec will be at the forefront of these major changes and will use its strengths to promote international trade.
An initiative nurtured by great ambitions
The Maritime Strategy rises to the challenges of creating a new vector of economic growth and breathing new life into industries in this economic sector. It will give Québec the leverage to:
- Stimulate the economic development of coastal regions
- Give renewed impetus to maritime transport by investing in port infrastructures, developing intermodal transport and invigorating Québec’s shipyards
- Continue the development of maritime tourism by promoting international cruises on the St. Lawrence River and improving ferry services
- Ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry and aquaculture
- Emphasize the safe and environmentally friendly nature of maritime transport
- Become part of the blue economy by investing in marine and environmental technology R&D
- Address anticipated labour shortages in qualified labour by introducing and promoting training programs
The fight against climate change
The Maritime Strategy is the latest in a series of actions taken in the past few years in the fight against climate change an issue of primary importance to Quebecers. By investing in port infrastructures and focusing on maritime transport, Québec is giving itself the tools it needs to foster its economic development and, at the same time, reduce GHG emissions. The increased use of Québec’s navigable waterways to transport merchandise rather than hauling it by truck is an integral part of Québec’s strategy to reduce its GHG emissions. On a ton-for-ton basis, maritime transport generates fewer GHG emissions than truck transport. An average-size vessel can transport the same amount of merchandise as 870 trucks or 225 railway cars.
Environmental responsibility is also an essential aspect of the Maritime Strategy. The Government of Québec will, as usual, enforce regulations governing environmental permits for the development of port and other infrastructures.
Source: ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie
