The Government of Canada invests in transportation infrastructure at the Port of Québec to move Canadian goods to market

News release

May 12, 2018    QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC    Transport Canada

The quality of Canada’s transportation infrastructure and the efficiency of the country’s trade corridors are key to the success of Canadian firms in the global marketplace. The Government of Canada supports infrastructure projects that create quality middle-class jobs and boost economic growth.

Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Québec, announced major investments of $15.5 million for three projects at the Port of Québec that will help local businesses compete by moving local goods to market and by making improvements to port infrastructure.

The first project is in the Anse au Foulon sector. The infrastructure in this sector was built almost 100 years ago. The port operations that take place there require an efficient transportation network and infrastructure adapted to the needs of export businesses. This project aims at increasing the efficiency of both the existing rail transport infrastructure and the road infrastructure by upgrading them. At the same time, the electrical network and the water system will be upgraded. This port sector holds great potential for the export of Canadian goods.

A second project, in the Estuaire sector of the Port of Québec, will repair the drawbridge structure, motors and gears to give the drawbridge at least 30 years of useful life.

The third project will restore strategic infrastructure in the Anse au Foulon and Beauport sectors of the Port of Québec to address the deterioration of the wharves. The project is expected to have significant economic and employment benefits by creating 300 full-time jobs during construction.

The Government of Canada is supporting infrastructure projects that contribute most to Canada’s continued success in international trade. For example, projects being funded will:

  • support economic activity and the physical movement of goods or people in Canada;
  • help the transportation system withstand the effects of climate change and make sure it is able to support new technologies and innovation;
  • address transportation bottlenecks and congestion along Canada’s trade corridors; and
  • increase the fluidity of Canadian trade around the world through our ports, airports, roads, railways, intermodal facilities, bridges and border crossings.

Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous groups, not-for-profit and for-profit private-sector organizations, federal Crown corporations, Canadian port authorities, and National Airports System airport authorities are all eligible for funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund.

Quotes

“The transportation and distribution of goods play a vital role in our local, regional and national economies. Our government recognizes that investing in our transportation system is critical to growing our communities and creating jobs for the middle class and those who work hard to be part of it. The investment announced today will support the efficient operation of the Port of Québec and promote its prosperity, to the benefit of the Québec City community.”

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Québec

“Our government is investing in Canada’s economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors. We are supporting projects that will efficiently move commercial goods to market and people to their destinations, stimulate economic growth, create quality middle-class jobs, and ensure that Canada’s transportation networks remain competitive and efficient.”

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

“I am pleased to see these three projects going ahead. Investing in the Port of Québec infrastructure will benefit not only the local and Canadian economy but also provide Canadian exporters with new opportunities to reach the global market.”

Joël Lightbound
Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert

Quick facts

  • Transportation is an important element of Canada’s trade with other countries. In 2017, total international merchandise trade amounted to $1.1 trillion. The United States continued to be Canada’s top trade partner, with $703 billion in trade ($415 billion exported, $288 billion imported), accounting for 63.5 per cent of total Canadian trade in 2017.

  • The Government of Canada places a strong emphasis on exports because of the connection between trade and good, well-paying jobs, as industries that are export-intensive pay wages that are, on average, more than 50 per cent higher than industries that are not.
     

Related products

Associated links

Contacts

Delphine Denis
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
delphine.denis@tc.gc.ca
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
media@tc.gc.ca
613-993-0055

Search for related information by keyword: Transport | Transport Canada | Canada | Transport and infrastructure | general public | news releases

Page details

Date modified: