St. Lawrence–Great Lakes transportation industry leaders summit: an urgent call to defend the corridor’s strategic interests
- Oct 2, 2025
- 2 min read
[Joint press release] Montréal, Québec, October 2, 2025 — The St. Lawrence–Great Lakes maritime corridor is the logistical and industrial backbone of North America, connecting hundreds of millions of consumers, some of the continent's most dynamic manufacturing hubs, and international markets. As a strategic trade gateway between Canada and the United States, it is essential to North America's economic security and supply chain resilience.
Against this backdrop, nearly one hundred leaders from across the St. Lawrence–Great Lakes corridor—including CEOs of ports, ship operators, railway companies, and the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as the event's three co-chairs, the Honourable Jean Charest, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, and Adam Tindall-Schlicht—gathered at the Port of Montréal on September 29, 2025, to chart a course for strengthening this vital corridor.
Participants agreed that urgent action is needed to:
invest in strategic infrastructure;
accelerate the energy transition;
prepare the workforce of tomorrow; and
strengthen the maritime and shipbuilding industries.
The leaders also agreed to unite their voices in calling on governments to:
make strategic investments;
establish modern, flexible, and efficient policy and regulatory frameworks;
actively support workforce development; and
strengthen cross-border governance of the corridor.
To formalize these priorities, a joint declaration will be presented at the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers Summit, taking place in Québec City from October 4 to 6, 2025.
"When governments think about the maritime industry, their first instinct is often to look west and north. However, the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes industry is equally essential to the future of our region and of North America. This summit in Montréal was highly productive. It enabled us to establish clear priorities that will allow us to speak with one voice in the years ahead and advance the industry's key priorities. Monday's meeting also reaffirmed our commitment to a tariff-free trade agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico," said a coalition comprising the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES), the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Ontario Marine Council, the St. Lawrence Ship Operators, and CargoM.
Event Organizing Committee
The organizing committee is composed of the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES), the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Ontario Marine Council, the St. Lawrence Ship Operators, CargoM, the Port of Montréal, and The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.
Media Contact
Valérie Glazer
Organizing Committee Member, St. Lawrence–Great Lakes Leaders Roundtable
