The stars align for the QSL container terminal in Beauport

The liberal government of Mark Carney shows the opening of a container terminal project in Beauport bay, while the stars are aligned for the promoter QSL against the backdrop of economic tensions with the United States.

If the previous liberal government refused to decide on the intentions of QSL, claiming that no concrete project had yet been presented, the cabinet of the Minister of Public Services and the supply of Canada, Joël Lightbound, does not hide his appetite.

It is clear that any project capable of generating important economic benefits for the Quebec region and strengthening the competitiveness of our maritime corridor deserves our full attentionsays, in writing, the cabinet of the deputy of Louis-Hébert, now the spokesman of the federal government in the region.

Minister Lightbound met the Quebec and QSL port on June 26, after being appointed minister on May 12.

We have had constructive exchanges with QSL and the Port of Quebec recently. Discussions are also underway between QSL and the Canada Border Services Agency for certification obtainingwe add.

This certification is necessary in order to obtain the status of container terminal. The original QSL request was filed in November 2023. Since then, exchanges have been coursing between the agency, the company and the Ministry of Public Security, in particular.

QSL has always said that this authorization for additional customs services (there are already at the Port de Québec for other mandates) was the first condition before continuing the feasibility studies and presenting a project notice to the port administration.

Political and economic context

The economic and political context changed considerably since the intentions of QSL was made public in July 2024.

The federal elections of April 28 first modified the political portrait in the great region of Quebec. The district of Beauport-Limoilou, where the project would be born, belonged to the Bloc Québécois during the last two terms.

She went to the Liberals thanks to the victory of Steeve Lavoie, former president of the Quebec Chamber of Commerce and Industry. His predecessor, Julie Vignola, opposed the QSL project from the start, then supported by her chef Yves-François Blanchet.

More broadly, the Carney government must deal with difficult economic negotiations with the United States, marked by customs tariffs.

It is well aware of the QSL container terminal project. Before even being appointed from the Liberal Party of Canada, he had met the management of the company, in February, during the race for the chiefdom.

QSL is a major player in the supply chains that cross Quebec, Canada and North America. Today, I met his team to discuss customs, trade, infrastructure prices and how we can build the strongest economy in the G7he said at the end of his meeting held in Quebec.

Project of national interest?

The Federal recently adopted Bill C-5, in order to promote domestic trade and infrastructure projects of national interest. A terminal of deep water containers, like that of QSL, could correspond to this vision of the liberal team.

The law aimed at building Canada precise black on white that it is urgent in the interest of the economy and sovereignty of Canada to advance projects which promote the development of economic and commercial corridors, connect different parts of the country with each other and transport goods to markets [et] strengthen Canada’s capacity to trade.

The ports appear on the list of potential infrastructure already cited by the Prime Minister’s office.

If the QSL project was designated national interest By the federalty, he would then be approved immediately. The project will be the subject of the existing examination processes, but we will focus on how to carry out it rather than on the question of whether it can be undertakenOttawa said last June.

It is also up to the provinces and territories to put forward projects deemed of national interest. Invited to rule, the Legault government refuses to say if the QSL terminal will be put forward with the federal.

Several supports

QSL also underlines this particular context with the United States to further justify its project.

The addition of a container terminal to the port of Quebec was justified before the current situation, which only strengthens its usefulnessdeclares by email the spokesperson Marie B. Deschamps.

A terminal would strengthen economic security and support the diversification of imports and exports of Quebec and Canadian companies and thus promote their productivity, in addition to creating new jobs in the National Capital.

The project is also supported by the Legault government, favorable at first sight as well as the Quebec Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The president of the Chamber, Frédérik Boisvert, hoped for the appointment of a federal minister from the Quebec region to, in particular, advance this file.

The mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, invited the population and the opponents not to “break the wings” of QSL even before the official deposit of the project. Let’s wait for the project promoter to demonstrate it, demonstrate its great value, or not, and after that we can judgehe said last November.

Mr. Marchand refuses to take a stand for the moment.