Shipping containers in the Port of Montreal.Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press
The Montreal Port Authority says its chief executive has left her job, a sudden departure that comes as the organization pushes ahead with a key expansion project with federal government backing.
CEO Julie Gascon has “ceased her position” effective immediately, the authority said in a statement late Friday. No reason was given for the departure.
Ms. Gascon was appointed to lead the organization, which runs Canada’s second largest port, barely two years ago. There was no indication she wanted to leave, suggesting the federal agency’s board was looking for a change of leadership to take the port forward.
A committee of port authority directors will lead the organization on an interim basis with members of senior management until a replacement is found. Last month, another port authority executive, chief commercial officer Paul Bird, left to join Alto, the crown corporation, which is developing Canada’s first high-speed train.
The port authority is expanding its operations with plans for a new container terminal in Contrecoeur, located about 40 kilometres downstream from Montreal. Ottawa has labelled the $2.3-billion project a national priority and mandated the Major Projects Office to help piece together the remaining financing.
The authority has tapped global logistics giant DP World Ltd. to build Contrecoeur’s land-based operations and run the cargo facility for the next 40 years. The final financing package for the project has yet to be finalized.
Ottawa and Quebec have already pledged $150-million and $130-million, respectively, toward the now-estimated $2.3-billion project, pitched as a key piece of transportation infrastructure needed to serve markets in Quebec, Ontario and the U.S. Midwest. The Canada Infrastructure Bank has also committed a $300-million loan.