During the strategic planning that resulted in the adoption of On Course for 2020 by the Board of Directors of Trois-Rivières Port Authority (TRPA), it was determined that the railway network was strategic to the growth of the port. Accordingly, TRPA and Quebec Gatineau Railway (QGRY) have collectively invested over $3M to upgrade the port’s railway system. To capitalize on these investments, TRPA entered into three agreements involving the QGRY and Canadian Pacific (CP).
An initial three-party agreement is aimed at a commercial partnership that will enable the port community to provide solutions tailored to the needs of its clients, based on establishing strategies and action plans to identify and attract new business opportunities. Cooperation is vital to this partnership. “Such a result was made possible because we focused unanimously on the client’s needs. The result had to benefit the client,” said Mr. Gaétan Boivin, President and CEO of TRPA.
Because the railway system is strategic, TRPA wished to have ownership of the railway tracks and the land on which they are located, which belonged to QGRY and CP. Accordingly, the three parties entered into a second agreement under which TRPA acquired the tracks and other rail facilities, allowing it to make all the decisions involving the development of the port’s railway system. This initiative will allow the port to better meet the expectations of its users and clients. Finally, a third agreement between TRPA and QGRY focuses on ensuring the railway system’s efficient and productive operation. In the agreement, the parties acknowledge that the system will require maintenance, modifications and expansion. To this end, the parties agreed upon their respective roles and responsibilities in order to ensure efficient railway operation. Specifically, this agreement defines the terms and conditions for the construction, operation and maintenance of the railway tracks and railway facilities at the port.
“We are very pleased with this agreement with TRPA and QGRY. The work and responsibilities carried out by CP over the past decades are in good hands. The port community will continue to grow and we are happy to be a part of it while we continue our activities in the region,” said Mr. Christopher Jones, Director, Industrial and Business Development – East at CP.
“This agreement establishes a partnership that will be beneficial for our company and for all of the port users because it refocuses our relationship on efficiency and productivity,” says Mr. Mario Brault, President of QGRY.