Conference-experience | Green Cargos: The Challenges of Maritime Transport in the St. Lawrence River

The St. Lawrence River is one of the major facilitators of economic activity in Montréal.

In view of the current challenges of redefining the economy, both globally and locally, in a context exacerbated by the health crisis, Quebec is launching a green economy plan for 2030. The transportation sector is particularly targeted by this policy, and we know the importance of the Port of Montréal in maritime transportation for all Eastern Canada and the American Midwest. That being said, the transit of large tonnages of goods through Montréal also has a major environmental impact on our territory.

Thus, is maritime transport, usually described as green, as ecological and sustainable as it is made out to be when these environmental impacts are taken into account? What efforts have been made by the port, its logistics partners, and local institutions to minimize not only GHG emissions but also damage to biodiversity in the wetlands and waterways of the St. Lawrence River in the Montréal region? How can we better assess the impacts of maritime transportation on local and regional river spaces? How can civil society, communities, and the inhabitants of the island of Montréal accompany, guide, enhance, and complete these projects and actions?

Étant donné les mesures sanitaires en vigueur, nous ne pouvons tenir ces conférences-expériences devant public. Des balados des rencontres seront toutefois diffusés dès l'automne pour permettre à un plus large public de découvrir la série. Suivez nos réseaux sociaux pour tous les détails!

Scientific Director:

• Jeanne-Hélène Jugie (Water Issues Facilitator, Comité ZIP Jacques-Cartier / Associate Member, CIRM)

Guests:

• Claude Comtois (Full Professor, Department of Geography, Université de Montréal)
• Claude Deschambault (Director of Environmental Services, Port of Montréal)
• Caroline Denis (CSL Group)
• Catherine Guillemette (Senior Environmental Advisor, Environmental Management Branch, Transports Canada)
• Jean Aubry-Morin (Vice-President, External Relations, Corporation de Gestion de la Voie Maritime du Saint-Laurent)

CIRM would like to thank the Comité ZIP Jacques-Cartier for its collaboration in presenting this event. This non-profit organization's mission is to put into action its expertise as a facilitator, its knowledge and its network of partners to promote the harmonious cohabitation of human activities that affect the health of the aquatic and riparian ecosystems of the Montréal archipelago.