Québec Marine Transportation Policy - Transport - Gouvernement ...

28
The protection of the environment and public safety are major
challenges that the various partners in the transportation
industries and the general public need to address together.
There are many new opportunities in this area, but clearly,
there must also be a change in attitudes.
These challenges were addressed by the Saint-Laurent Action
Plan, Vision 2000, led by the ministère de l’Environnement du
Québec and Environment Canada. The ministère des
Transports du Québec is also an active participant in this initiative.
Since 1988, five-year agreements have facilitated
measures to clean up the river, ensure its protection and preserve and restore its ecosystems.
A new element was added to phase III of the action plan (1998-2003) to cover navigation and the
shipping industry. The Navigation Consultation Committee has been mandated to develop and
implement strategies to ensure that navigation is managed in such a way that it provides sustainable
development for the Saint-Laurent. The committee is made up of representatives of the shipping
industry, environmental groups and both levels of government.
Water policy is another important area where work is jointly undertaken with the ministère de
l’Environnement. The gouvernement du Québec must coordinate its various river-related actions
in a global plan. Important initiatives are currently being carried out by the ministère de
l’Environnement to create a water management policy for Québec. Certain aspects of this policy
will, of course, address some of the challenges and concerns related to maritime transport.
2.5 Promoting the Saint-Laurent
The Gouvernement
du Québec must
actively promote
the Saint-Laurent
worldwide
The Secrétariat à la mise en valeur du Saint-Laurent was established by the gouvernement du
Québec in 1985 and is responsible for the promotion of the Saint-Laurent. It organizes trade missions
to various countries and welcomes trade delegations to Québec. Québec trade delegations
have visited Chicago, Paris and Rouen. European and American business people and journalists
specializing in international shipping and cruises have also been invited to these promotional
activities. The success of trade missions depends on the new contacts and new business opportunities
that develop as a result. Missions abroad and the reception of foreign delegations at home offer
opportunities to establish new trade relations.
American and European ports promote their activities and services abroad to a far greater extent
than is done for the ports of the Saint-Laurent. Unlike the great ports of America and Europe or,
indeed, Halifax and Vancouver, the ports of the Saint-Laurent have practically no commercial
representation or promotion abroad. In the United States and Europe, most larger ports have a
largely decentralized structure and often depend purely on private enterprise or municipalities.
This means that large foreign ports benefit from local support and are often members of poweful
associations with very specific missions, such as the promotion of port services.