A recent study conducted by SNAP Québec suggests that the proposed expansion of the Port of Montreal in Contrecœur could lead to significant financial burdens for Canadian taxpayers due to unrealistic projections.
SNAP Québec, an organization committed to nature conservation and the protection of endangered species, is planning to contest the Port of Montreal’s expansion project in federal court. They argue that this expansion could threaten the survival of the copper redhorse, a species of fish on the brink of extinction.
The organization, which is considering legal action against the federal government for approving the project, published a study asserting that the infrastructure could end up being underutilized, unprofitable, and a drain on taxpayer funds.
The expansion plans, championed by Prime Minister Mark Carney and sought under the Building Canada Act, are criticized for relying on overly optimistic forecasts of increased container traffic in the St. Lawrence River. According to Éric Pineault, a professor at UQAM’s Institute of Environmental Sciences, these projections are not grounded in reality.
The study’s authors, Pineault and researcher Henri Chevalier from the University of Waterloo, point out discrepancies in the Montreal Port Authority’s 2017 data, which projected a doubling of container traffic by 2030. However, actual traffic volumes have not shown consistent growth, and the current levels fall short of the forecasted figures.
Jacques Roy, a former professor specializing in operations and logistics management, acknowledges the stagnant container market but sees potential for growth through diversifying trade partnerships. He believes that the port expansion aligns with the government’s trade objectives, especially in light of efforts to enhance trade routes beyond the US.
Furthermore, the study commissioned by SNAP Québec raises concerns about the suitability of the St. Lawrence River for accommodating modern mega-ships. The shallow draft of the river poses challenges for Contrecœur to compete with deeper-water ports like Halifax or New York, potentially relegating it to a secondary status in the shipping industry.
The project’s reliance on public funding, with significant contributions from federal and provincial governments, raises doubts about its profitability. Despite assurances from the Montreal Port Authority, the total cost of the expansion has escalated substantially, heightening fears of financial risks associated with the project.
