Fisheries Department grants authorization for port expansion in Contrecoeur, Que.

MONTRÉAL — Fisheries and Oceans Canada has granted authorization to the Montreal Port Authority to expand a container port terminal northeast of the city in the habitat of an endangered fish species.

The authority announced Thursday it had obtained the green light for the project at Contrecœur, Que., that would increase the capacity of port infrastructure by 60 per cent.

In September, the federal government had referred the project to the Major Projects Office for consideration to be fast-tracked through the approval process.

However, nature advocacy group SNAP Québec says it will challenge the authorization in court because of the project’s potential impact on the copper redhorse, a fish species found only in the St. Lawrence River.

Director Alain Branchaud says dredging in the fish’s habitat will jeopardize the recovery of the species and possibly its survival.

Port authority CEO Julie Gascon says the project will comply with environmental requirements.

“Now that this authorization has been obtained, the (port authority) will move ahead with the project as planned, in line with the agreed schedule, which remains unchanged,” the authority said in a statement.

“The year 2026 will therefore mark the start of in-water works, along with the continuation of site development work. Commissioning of the new terminal remains scheduled for 2030.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 8, 2026.

Stéphane Blais, The Canadian Press