Advantage St. Lawrence: Québec’s New Maritime Vision

Québec’s history, as well as its future, is closely tied to the St. Lawrence river. The government intends to leverage the river’s exceptional strategic geographic position as a powerful driver of economic, social and environmental development.

The St. Lawrence benefits from an exceptionally strategic geographic location and plays a vital role in Québec’s economy. As one North America’s principal gateways, supported by an extensive network of commercial ports, it facilitates the movement of people and goods throughout much of the province. It also provides Québec businesses with direct access to international markets, serving as a key trade corridor through which a significant share of the province’s exports is transported.

The maritime system centred on the St. Lawrence serves a regional market of more than 100 million consumers located in the heart of North America.

The St. Lawrence offers Québec and its regions an exceptional development opportunity, one whose full potential has yet to be realized. The growing maritime sector therefore presents a significant opportunity that must be seized today.

The government is committed to making the St. Lawrence a world-class economic corridor while preserving the surrounding ecosystems and supporting the communities that live and work along the river.

Following extensive consultations with coastal communities and stakeholders across Québec, several key considerations were incorporated into the development of the new maritime vision.

Advantage St. Lawrence builds on the former Maritime Strategy, which concluded in March 2020. Its implementation demonstrated the maritime sector’s critical contribution to Québec’s economy.

The new maritime vision is structured around three strategic priorities:

• Modernize and strengthen the competitiveness of port infrastructure along the St. Lawrence.
• Ensure efficient navigation on the St. Lawrence while protecting ecosystems.
• Foster sustainable and prosperous development opportunities for maritime communities.

These strategic priorities are implemented through 12 measures set out in the first action plan for the 2020–2025 period. Together, these measures aim to unlock the full economic potential of the maritime sector while promoting the responsible and sustainable use of Québec’s marine resources for the benefit of all Quebecers:

• Develop a container terminal in Contrecœur.
• Support maritime infrastructure projects that contribute to market development and economic recovery.
• Establish a new maritime infrastructure investment program.
• Create a smart economic corridor.
• Implement Phase 2 of the Maritime Information System.
• Mitigate the impacts of navigation on ecosystems.
• Ensure the continued operation of the Maritime Incident Risk Management Expertise Centre.
• Enhance and protect ecosystems.
• Develop industrial-port zones and logistics hubs.
• Modernize Québec’s shipbuilding and marine repair industry.
• Advance marine biotechnology development.
• Improve access to the St. Lawrence through public passenger maritime transportation.

The Advantage St. Lawrence vision will be aligned with Québec’s Sustainable Mobility Policy – 2030 and the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy, and its implementation will be evaluated using clearly defined and measurable performance indicators.

Advantage St. Lawrence – Québec’s New Maritime Vision (PDF 6.70 Mb)

2020-2030 Québec Infrastructure Plan (PDF 7.06 Mb)

Advantage St. Lawrence – Action Plan (PDF 103 Kb)