The Honorable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, made the announcement during a press conference at the port facilities on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Pablo Rodriguez. This contribution is part of the National Trade Corridors Fund, a national program aimed at improving trade flows with global markets and enhancing the efficiency and resilience of Canada’s national transportation network.
It should be noted that last December, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Ms. Geneviève Guilbault, and the Minister of Employment, the minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region and MP for Duplessis, Ms. Kateri Champagne Jourdain, also announced a $10 million financial aid under the Maritime Infrastructure Investment Program of the Advantage St. Lawrence Strategy.
The Port of Sept-Îles will complete the project funding with a $10 million contribution, representing one-third of the estimated $30 million project cost. Construction activities are expected to begin at the end of the cruise season in the fall.
Recent studies of the terminal’s 1950s-era structure have shown that it needs to be upgraded to maintain its essential functions and resilience against the effects of climate change. Specifically, during high tide periods, flooding of the terminal is becoming increasingly frequent, jeopardizing:
- Maritime services of the tugboats required to ensure the safety of bulk carriers’ navigation maneuvers in the port;
- Activities at the Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu cruise stop, the only stop on the Saint Lawrence offering the opportunity to discover the cultural richness of the Innu community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam.
“The modernization of the Port of Sept-Îles will not only ensure the safety and efficiency of port operations but also create new growth opportunities. This investment will strengthen the Port’s position and benefit local industries and regional economic development,” says the Honorable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant.
“The Port of Sept-Îles plays a leading role in the economy of our city and the entire region. Its facilities are undoubtedly a major strategic asset for attracting new industries to Sept-Îles. In this sense, today’s announcement, which will enable 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,” says 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 secure and sustainable accessibility for this meeting place offering our citizens a unique view of the Sept-Îles Bay. It will provide the largest iron ore port in North America and the second-largest port in the country by activity volume with the quality infrastructure needed to ensure the robustness of its supply chains and support the growth of its exports,” assert Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles, and Bernard Lynch, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Port of Sept-Îles.
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