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Port of Montreal names Bird President and CEO

[ May 28, 2026   //   Gary Burrows ]

The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has appointed Paul Bird as president and CEO, succeeding Martin Imbleau, who departed earlier this year, the authority said.

Bird was chief commercial officer of the MPA and has been closely involved in the port’s recent commercial development and infrastructure initiatives, including efforts tied to the Contrecoeur terminal expansion project. The MPA said Bird’s appointment follows a succession-planning process led by the board of directors.

Board Chair Nathalie Pilon said Bird had played a significant role in the port’s recent progress and expressed confidence in his ability to continue advancing the authority’s strategic objectives.

Bird said his priorities will include maintaining operational excellence, strengthening relationships with customers and business partners, and supporting continued growth in cargo activity and commercial development.

The leadership transition comes during a major expansion period for the Port of Montreal, Canada’s second-largest port by container volume and a critical gateway for North American trade moving between Europe, the Mediterranean and inland Canadian and U.S. markets.

A centerpiece of that growth strategy is the long-planned Contrecoeur terminal project, intended to increase container-handling capacity on the St. Lawrence River system. Earlier this year, the Canada Infrastructure Bank announced support for the project through a C$1.16 billion loan aimed at accelerating construction of the new container terminal.

The Port of Montreal handles a diversified cargo base including containerized freight, dry bulk and liquid bulk cargoes and serves rail connections reaching key industrial and consumer markets throughout Quebec, Ontario and the U.S. Midwest. The port has also sought to position itself as an increasingly important player in supply-chain resiliency and reshoring strategies as shippers continue reassessing North American trade flows and inland distribution networks.

Tags: Montreal Port Authority