Montréal, June 29, 2015 – “I am announcing today a series of measures that will enable us to benefit fully and sustainably from our maritime potential and make Québec a special gateway for major markets in northeastern North America. We have been working for several months on the strategy, which has been eagerly-awaited, first by a number of partners and investors that we met during missions abroad but also by Québec businesses and many Quebecers who live in the regions where spinoff will be especially apparent. It is a project that will mobilize Québec as a whole and that will have extensive economic, social and environmental benefits,” Québec Premier Philippe Couillard noted at the launching of the firstMaritime Strategy in Québec’s history and the unveiling of the 2015-2020 Action Plan.
Minister for Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy Jean D’Amour, Minister of Tourism Dominique Vien, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Montréal region Robert Poëti, Minister of Education, Higher Education and Research François Blais, Mayor of Montréal Denis Coderre, and President and CEO of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ Gaétan Morin attended the event in the Port of Montréal.
“The Maritime Strategy is at one and the same time ambitious and realistic. It seeks to foster sustainable growth in Québec’s maritime economy and encourage the creation of stimulating jobs in all regions of Québec. By 2030, we estimate at 30 000 the number of direct jobs created in all regions. Tourism, fishing, logistics, research and maritime transport are some of the sectors that will benefit from the positive impact on employment,” Minister D’Amour said.
The initial action plan under the Maritime Strategy hinges on a financial framework of more than $1.5 billion unveiled in March 2015.
Focusing on a maritime economy
Premier Couillard emphasized the importance of taking advantage of Québec’s strategic geographical location in order to promote the creation of business opportunities linked to the maritime economy. He then announced major infrastructure investments related to the maritime sector and the establishment logistical hubs under a multi-site approach.
Among the other measures put forward to capitalize on the maritime territory’s economic potential, the Maritime Strategy calls for: