The Department of Transport issued a government notice under the Canada Marine Act regarding an amendment to the letters patent of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority. These letters patent establish the governance framework for the Port Authority, including specific limitations on its borrowing powers for port-related purposes.

Under section 9.2 of the original document, a borrowing cap was defined to limit the financial liabilities the Authority could undertake. However, recognizing the evolving needs of the port and its strategic development initiatives, the board of directors of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority formally requested that the Minister of Transport amend this provision. The goal was to increase the borrowing limit to better support ongoing and future infrastructure investments crucial to the port’s operations and growth.

This order, made by the Governor in Council under subsection 8(5) of the Canada Marine Act, signaled the federal government’s formal consent to the proposed change. Following this approval, the Minister of Transport confirmed that the requested amendment aligned with the legislative framework of the Canada Marine Act and supported the broader public interest in improving national transportation infrastructure.

The Minister exercised authority under subsection 9(1) of the Act to issue supplementary letters patent. These new letters patent replace the previous borrowing clause with an updated version that increases the Trois-Rivières Port Authority’s borrowing limit to $62 million. This adjustment is expected to provide the Authority with greater financial flexibility to fund port-related projects, maintain competitiveness, and respond to economic and logistical demands.

The Port of Trois-Rivières, one of Canada’s 17 Port Authorities, has been active since 1882. The Port plays a vital role in regional, national, and international economic development, supporting key industries such as aluminum, forestry, and agri-food. Strategically situated between Montreal and Quebec City, the port handles over 4.2 million metric tonnes of cargo annually, processing 60,000 trucks, 11,000 railcars, and more than 250 merchant and cruise ships from over 100 ports across more than 40 countries. The Ports annual economic impact is nearly $220 million, supporting over 2,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs.

Throughout its history, the port has continuously evolved, with key milestones including coal storage operations in 1893, safety upgrades by Alcoa and Les Élévateurs des Trois-Rivières in 2005, and the implementation of an ambitious development plan in 2008. The On Course for 2030 development plan for 2030 is aimed at building modern, productive, and community-integrated infrastructure. Recent developments include the major reconstruction of Pier 17 and the construction of Pier 16 in 2024, improving operational efficiency and the flow of road, rail, and marine traffic.

Canada (Notice) April 5, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and do not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.