After the sudden departure of its CEO, the Montreal Port Authority is witnessing another key resignation, creating uncertainty about the port’s management and future direction, prompting Ottawa to seek clarifications.
The port authority disclosed that its chief financial officer, Alban Fournier, will be leaving for a new private sector role in less than two weeks, after a short 17-month tenure. An interim finance head has been appointed to ensure a smooth transition, according to port authority spokeswoman Renée Larouche.
The recent string of departures includes the CEO, Julie Gascon, who left abruptly with no official explanation or acknowledgment after less than two years in the position. This was followed by the exit of the chief commercial officer and occurred just before Prime Minister Mark Carney initiated a major expansion project at the port.
The House of Commons transport committee has unanimously passed a motion requesting the former executives to testify, with Bloc Québécois transport critic Xavier Barsalou-Duval expressing concerns about the port’s situation, likening it to a scenario where key personnel are leaving while critical operations are ongoing.
Executive vice-president Alexandra Langelier from the Institute for the Governance of Private and Public Organizations described the departures as creating a crisis management situation, emphasizing the challenges in quickly filling leadership positions without adequate succession plans in place.
Despite recent challenges such as declining shipping container volumes and labor strikes, the port reported a 3.6% increase in container volumes last year, surpassing global trade growth projections. In the interim, a board committee will oversee port operations in collaboration with senior management following the CEO’s departure.
Board chair Nathalie Pilon highlighted the commencement of a strategic phase with the launch of the container terminal expansion project in Contrecœur, Que., emphasizing its significance as a prominent project approved by the federal government.
Langelier suggested that the board committee’s interim role should be temporary, addressing the leadership vacuum left by the departing executives amidst ongoing major projects. The port authority assured that its governance structure includes succession plans to ensure operational continuity during such transitions.