Ontario and Quebec's marine industry welcomes Premiers Ford and Fréchette’s call for a strong maritime strategy
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 28
[Joint Press Release] July 23, 2026 – The St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (Sodes), the Ontario Marine Council (OMC), and the St. Lawrence Ship Operators (Armateurs du Saint-Laurent, ASL) today issued the following joint statement in response to positive remarks made by Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette and Ontario Premier Doug Ford at this week's Council of the Federation in Charlottetown regarding the marine shipping sector.
In a message posted on X, Premier Fréchette noted that she and Premier Ford discussed the importance of having a strong maritime strategy to grow the economy, support small and medium-sized businesses, and create quality jobs. Premier Ford noted the same in a recent LinkedIn post.
For Sodes, OMC and ASL, this focus on developing the marine sector is exactly the kind of coordinated leadership that will help diversify trade, strengthen supply chains, and create meaningful employment opportunities. At a time when the Federal Government is focused on nation building, and both Ontario and Quebec have provincial marine strategies that can be bolstered by investment, the time is ideal to think across borders and advance Canada’s marine sector as a source of global competitive advantage.
"The St. Lawrence is a key driver of economic development for Quebec, and we welcome Premier Fréchette's decision to place the development of a maritime strategy on the agenda of her meeting with her Ontario counterpart," said Mathieu Saint-Pierre, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sodes. "Our members already work closely with their Ontario partners to ensure the smooth flow of trade between our two provinces. This political commitment now creates an opportunity to build a shared vision for the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes, supported by strategic investments that will strengthen the competitiveness of our marine transportation corridor," he concluded.
"We are pleased to see Premier Fréchette and Premier Ford speak with one voice about the importance of a strong maritime strategy," said Hannah Bowlby, Chair of the Ontario Marine Council. "Ontario and Quebec share an incredible economic engine in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence region, with available capacity and tremendous potential for growth. Our industry stands ready to work alongside governments to seize that opportunity by investing in marine infrastructure, strengthening workforce training, and creating high-quality jobs across both provinces.”
"The Saint-Laurent and the Great Lakes form one integrated economic corridor, not two separate provincial files, and it's encouraging to hear our Premiers recognize that," said Saul Polo, President and CEO of the Armateurs du Saint-Laurent. "Our members and those of Sodes and OMC already work hand-in-hand across this waterway, and so our associations are well-prepared to support both governments as they consider beneficial joint initiatives. Premier Fréchette's remarks confirm that government priorities are fully aligned with the industry’s vision, and our members, alongside those of Sodes and OMC, are ready to move forward right away."
The three organizations noted that their respective advocacy priorities are highly complementary to the direction signaled this week: including Sodes' longstanding efforts to promote the St. Lawrence as a strategic economic corridor for Quebec's regions and industries; Ontario's four-pillar Marine Transportation Strategy that was developed collaboratively between industry players and the provincial government; and the Armateurs du Saint-Laurent's recent pre-budget ask — refinancing a new Quebec Maritime Strategy, growing short-sea and intermodal shipping, and modernizing regional port infrastructure.
Together, these priorities point to the same conclusion: the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence corridor is a shared strategic asset capable of delivering economic growth, resilient supply chains, and quality jobs for both provinces. Furthermore, the marine industry is more than willing to support a vision of expansion into international markets. Several organizations are already doing so, but with the support of a government focused on exports outside the Americas, even more could be achieved.
Sodes, OMC, and ASL reaffirmed their willingness to work as partners with the governments of Ontario and Quebec to translate this week's discussion into concrete action and pledged to keep deepening the ties between their memberships so the corridor continues to deliver for industry, businesses, and communities on both provinces.
About the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (Sodes)
Sodes unites maritime industry players to act jointly by promoting the economic interests of the St. Lawrence maritime community from a sustainable development perspective.
About the Ontario Marine Council
The Ontario Marine Council is an industry association representing the major stakeholders in Ontario’s marine sectors, with its membership including port operators, shipyards, shipowners, shippers of key commodities, and the Seaway.
About the Armateurs du Saint-Laurent / St. Lawrence Ship Operators
The St. Lawrence Ship Operators represent 29 shipowners, among 170 total members, operating a fleet of more than 400 Canadian-flagged vessels navigating on the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes, the Arctic, and the Canadian East Coast.
Media Contacts
Mathieu St-Pierre
President and CEO, SODES
Jason Card
Vice President, External Affairs
Saul Polo
President and CEO, ASL
Comments