“The Port of Montreal is a unique and important economic engine for Montreal, Quebec and the rest of Canada. This role goes hand in hand with our commitment to act responsibly and sustainably, and to coexist harmoniously with the community in which we operate,” Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), told an audience of 300 businesspeople, port and logistics industry representatives, and key stakeholders in sustainable development at a recent Canadian Club luncheon conference in Montreal.
“I believe that it is very important for the Port to assume its role as a responsible corporate citizen in its neighbouring community,” Ms. Vachon said. “This means that the Port assumes economic, environmental and social roles alike. For us, it’s important to be able to take on and reconcile these complementary roles in a sustainable way, because the Port’s involvement in its community is also a vital component of a sustainable economy.”
Sustainable development is a value inherent to the MPA’s mission. It is an approach that rises above and beyond its obligation to conform to various environmental laws and regulations and it reflects the organization’s commitment to integrate economic, environmental and social policies into port activities.
The MPA has a long history of incorporating the concept of sustainable development into its business processes. In 2010, the MPA adopted a Sustainable Development Policy based on eight guiding principles, one of which is “to become a leading force in the areas of sustainable development.”
The MPA also has a Sustainable Development and Health Committee, one of four committees that help guide the decisions of the MPA’s Board of Directors.