Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Saint-Laurent – Grands Lacs Corridor: CIRANO and GVCdtLab at the Heart of Government Discussions with Maritime Ecosystem Stakeholders

CIRANO was present at the Journée maritime du Québec, which took place at the Assemblée nationale du Québec and brought together numerous stakeholders from the maritime sector to discuss the strategic issues of the corridor. On this occasion, the minister responsible for the Stratégie maritime du Québec, Mr. Bernard Drainville, received the most recent report produced by GVCdtLab and CIRANO, prepared ahead of the Conférence des gouverneurs et premiers ministres du Saint-Laurent et des Grands Lacs, held in Québec City in early October.

Entitled “Renforcer l’attractivité et la compétitivité du corridor Saint-Laurent – Grands Lacs”, this report offers a strategic assessment and recommendations aimed at improving the performance, resilience, and economic integration of this corridor, which is essential to North American trade and transatlantic exchanges.

During the event, Nathalie de Marcellis-Warin also met with the Minister of Employment, Pascale Déry, to discuss challenges and opportunities related to workforce issues in the maritime ecosystem, particularly regarding attractiveness, skills development, and specialized labor.

This report was also presented in various strategic forums, including the opening conference of the Leadership Roundtable Saint-Laurent – Grands Lacs, held on September 29 at the Port de Montréal, which brought together Canadian and American leaders in transportation, logistics, international trade, and economic development.

In parallel, Thierry Warin, Martin Trépanier, Molivann Panot, and the GVCdtLab team presented the digital twin of the SLGL corridor on several occasions, including to representatives of the MRIF, the Délégué général du Québec au Japon, the Délégué général du Québec à Paris, and the Consule de Suisse à Montréal, showcasing the expertise of GVCdtLab and the strategic importance of digital innovation for the corridor’s competitiveness.

CIRANO also took part in a roundtable organized by the Chambre de commerce de l’Est de Montréal and CargoM, in the presence of Ministers Drainville and Rouleau, focusing on the issues and orientations that will shape the development of the next Stratégie maritime du Québec. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss strategic priorities, logistical challenges, and innovation opportunities to strengthen the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Saint-Laurent maritime corridor.

Nathalie de Marcellis-Warin will participate in early December in a panel on the future of the Saint-Laurent – Grands Lacs corridor, organized by the Association des armateurs du Saint-Laurent (ASL), bringing together leaders of the maritime industry, public policy experts, and government representatives to discuss the levers to activate in order to strengthen infrastructure competitiveness and optimize the supply chain.

Through the work of GVCdtLab, CIRANO reaffirms its commitment to supporting Québec and its North American partners in the implementation of evidence-based strategies by leveraging digital innovation, advanced analytics, and the development of tools such as the digital twin to ensure a high-performing, innovative, and sustainable corridor. The GVCdtLab project is supported by the Fonds National des Corridors Commerciaux (FNCC) and Transport Canada.