Gascon exits as CEO of the Montreal Port Authority

In a development that took Canadian marine circles by surprise, the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) announced on late Good Friday afternoon that Julie Gascon has “ceased her position” as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately on April 3. No reason was given in the press release, and a port spokesman declined to specify whether the decision represented a resignation or dismissal.

Gascon had occupied the helm of Canada’s second biggest container port after Vancouver since February 2024.

The press release indicated that a committee composed of members of the Board of Directors will ensure the leadership of the organization on an interim basis in close collaboration with the members of senior management, during the recruitment process to find a replacement.

“With the Contrecœur terminal expansion project actively progressing, the Port of Montreal is entering a new phase in its development, which will take place as part of a new strategic cycle for the MPA. The organization is in an excellent position to fulfill its mandate and contribute to Canada’s competitiveness in global markets,” said Mrs. Nathalie Pilon, Chair of the Board of Directors of the MPA.

From the outset of her tenure of just over two years, Gascon has underlined the importance of completing the Contrecoeur container terminal to be operated by DP World by 2030 as a vital component for expanding Canadian trade diversification, especially with Europe to lessen Canadian economic reliance on the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to fast-track the project, whose cost has ballooned to over C$2.3 billion, among “nation-building” projects. Construction began this past winter of such items as preparatory earthworks for the dikes, the road, and the platform leading to the trucking access route.

The departure of Gascon came on the heels of a recent high-profile decision by Paul Bird, chief commercial officer of the Port of Montreal in charge of the Contrecoeur expansion, to move to the executive team of ALTO, seeking to organize Canada’s first high-speed passenger rail network. ALTO is headed by Martin Imbleau, who was CEO of the Port of Montreal before Gascon.