Transport committee  Thank you, Mr. Barsalou-Duval. You're absolutely right, there are several dredging methods available to us as we build our wharf structure. When the time comes, alongside our private partners, we will naturally have to go with the technology and methods providing the best environmental performance.

Transport committee  It was work stoppages and the pandemic, indeed.

Transport committee  All right. Jobs in the logistics and transportation sector are good jobs filled by competent people. As these jobs are changing, the workforce will need more training to meet the technological challenges of tomorrow. Over the past two years, the Canadian port system has demonstrated flexibility.

Transport committee  Thank you very much. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak as part of the committee's work. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge the government's strong commitment, as well as that of its parliamentarians, to improving the resilience of Canadian supply chains.

Industry committee  Well, Montreal has a long history with the petrochemical industry. You may or may not know this, but there used to be at least five refineries on the Island of Montreal. Now there is only one, operated by Suncor. There is an extensive tank farm that is actually the distribution hub for all of eastern Canada and part of the New England area as well.

Industry committee  Thank you for your question. We are carrying out infrastructure projects to improve our berths as well. The high water levels complicate underwater work, of course. In some cases, the work was put on hold during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Construction in Quebec was disrupted between March and April, which delayed the beginning of work in the spring.

Industry committee  Yes, actually this week we had a conference call—I don't know whether you were made aware of it or not—with Infrastructure Canada exactly about that project, which has not yet started and will now be delayed somewhat. We've somewhat lost the opportunity of this entire construction season.

Industry committee  Thank you for your question. The national trade corridors fund has indeed financed projects at the Port of Montreal, and so has Scale AI. You're referring to investments linked to what's called the innovation and artificial intelligence supercluster. In both cases, the Port of Montreal has undertaken projects.

Industry committee  The decrease in volume certainly had consequences for the port authority and its cash, so revenues. It forced us to make adjustments, which simply means deferring spending. Naturally, assistance or flexibility of any kind that helps us continue to invest and contribute to the economic recovery is welcome.

Industry committee  Thank you for your question. As far as our operations are concerned, the first quarter of 2020 was quite good. However, beginning in mid-April—extending into the end of April and the month of May—we started feeling the effects of the downturn. The impact is now visible every day.

Industry committee  Thank you for the question. We implemented our strategy in the different sectors of the chain. Our valued assets, which I mentioned earlier, are obviously our workers and our corporate culture. They contribute to our resilience. Innovation plays a key role in our work at the Montreal Port Authority.

Industry committee  Good afternoon. I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak as part of the committee business. My name is Daniel Dagenais. I'm the vice-president of operations at the Montreal Port Authority. I want to start by expressing my sincere appreciation for the port workers, seagoing personnel and all supply chain workers.