Minister Lebel begins consultations with industry stakeholders on the new bridge over the St. Lawrence

No. H100/11
For release - October 31, 2011
Photo(s)

MONTREAL — Consultations on the requirements for the new bridge over the St. Lawrence have formally begun. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today met with economic and business leaders in the Montreal region to hear their views.

The Minister held productive discussions with this focused group of industry representatives about the future bridge. He listened to their views on the use of tolls and consulted with them about the business community's current and future needs from this crossing.

"Discussions with key stakeholders are essential to the planning process for the new bridge over the St. Lawrence," said Minister Lebel. "The views of private-sector representatives help ensure this major corridor will serve all businesses — small, medium and large. Our government remains focused on long-term economic growth and job creation, and the smooth flow of goods and people over the St. Lawrence River is a vital part of the economy of the region and the country as a whole."

Preliminary work on the new bridge over the St. Lawrence is progressing. Over the coming months, the federal government will continue to meet with key partners, including provincial and municipal representatives.

On October 5, 2011, Minister Lebel announced that the Government of Canada will proceed with a new crossing to replace the existing Champlain Bridge. The six-lane Champlain Bridge is the busiest vehicular bridge in Canada. An estimated 11 million public transit commuters, 60 million vehicles and $20 billion in international trade cross it annually.

The bridge is an important trade corridor for the regional economy and benefits the national economy. It also responds to the objectives of Canada's gateway strategies.

A backgrounder providing the views of several participating economic and business leaders in the Montreal region is attached.

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Backgrounder

VIEWS OF PARTICIPANTS IN CONSULTATIONS ON NEW MONTREAL BRIDGE

On October 31, 2011, several economic and business leaders in the Montreal region shared their views about Minister Lebel's consultations on the requirements for the new bridge over the St. Lawrence.

Montreal Port Authority

Sylvie Vachon, president and CEO

"The Montreal Port Authority sees the replacement of the Champlain Bridge with a new bridge over the St. Lawrence River as a crucial element that will contribute to the movement of goods," said Ms. Vachon. "The smooth flow of road traffic contributes to the competitiveness of transport in the Greater Montreal logistics chain and to the economic development of all players in our region."

Conseil du patronat du Québec / Quebec Employers Council

Yves-Thomas Dorval, president

Mr. Dorval, who attended the consultation, welcomes Minister Lebel's openness with respect to replacing the Champlain Bridge. "I'd like to emphasize the willingness of the Minister to work together with the various stakeholders, especially the business community in Quebec, to give the province the transportation infrastructure that will contribute to its long-term prosperity."

Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec

Françoise Bertrand, CEO

"We are very pleased to see that Minister Denis Lebel has got to work so quickly on this file that is so important to the Quebec economy," said Ms. Bertrand. "We find the Minister very open and this consultation is greatly appreciated. We know now that the file is progressing quickly."

Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitain / Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

Michel Leblanc, president and CEO

"The metropolitan business community notes the federal government's willingness to proceed quickly. We applaud Minister Lebel's commitment to ensuring that the Champlain Bridge project is completed in less than 10 years. A tight deadline that respects aesthetics, combined with mitigation measures that ensure flexibility at all times are the best solutions to make sure that Montreal's economy contributes fully to the Canadian recovery."

Association du camionnage du Québec

Marc Cadieux, CEO

"The Truckers' Association considers itself privileged to be consulted on the project. We are pleased to see that the Minister is already at work. We understand the public-private partnership approach and we firmly believe that the Minister will take the comments provided by representatives of the trucking industry into account."

Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de la Rive-Sud

Hélène Bergeron, CEO

"We are very pleased to see that Minister Lebel is already working so that this major project takes shape. We appreciate that he is consulting with economic players from the South Shore and we are reassured to see the government is taking into account the opinions of those across the Montreal region."

October 2011