MONTREAL - Residents in Contrecoeur, a town northeast of Montreal, are voicing strong opposition to the Port of Montreal's proposed expansion of its container facility. On Sunday, dozens of citizens gathered to demonstrate against the project, which aims to increase the terminal's capacity to handle an estimated 1.5 million containers annually.

The expansion is part of a group of five infrastructure projects that Prime Minister Mark Carney hopes to expedite under the Building Canada Act. However, local residents argue that the project is unnecessary and poses significant risks to health and the environment.

Opponents of the expansion contend that it does not qualify as a project of national interest under Bill C-5, which is intended to enhance Canadian autonomy. They claim the project would increase reliance on foreign countries and bypass Canadian and Quebec environmental regulations.

In response, the Montreal Port Authority maintains that the project has undergone a thorough environmental assessment and has received a favorable decision. Hélène Reeves, a spokesperson for the citizen group Vigie citoyenne Port de Contrecœur, expressed her dismay at Quebec Premier François Legault's characterization of the St. Lawrence River as a "highway" for goods transport that emits fewer greenhouse gases. Reeves stated, "This economic vision is outdated. It is harmful to pursue an economy that destroys the environment while we are in the midst of a climate crisis."

Despite the opposition, the port authority is proceeding with preparatory work at the site, located about 45 kilometers northeast of Montreal. This work includes installing fences and access roads, constructing work platforms, selective tree cutting, and setting up offices. Additionally, the project involves dredging the St. Lawrence River, which is home to the endangered copper redhorse fish, and requires approval from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

The debate over the expansion continues as residents and officials weigh the potential economic benefits against environmental concerns.