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The Montreal Port Authority announced on April 2, 2026, that Julie Gascon has resigned as President and CEO effective immediately. A committee of the board will lead the organization on an interim basis while a successor is sought.
Gascon took over the leadership of the port authority in February 2024, bringing with her an extensive career in Canada’s maritime and transportation sector. She is a graduate of the Canadian Coast Guard College and began her career at sea in 1998. Throughout her career, she gained experience on Coast Guard vessels as well as on large oil tankers and passenger ships, earning certification as a Master Mariner.
Subsequently, Gascon held various senior positions at Transport Canada, including that of Executive Director for National Ships and Regulatory Oversight. From 2015 to 2020, she served as Deputy Commissioner for the Central and Arctic Region of the Canadian Coast Guard and as Director of Operations. In 2020, she returned to Transport Canada, where she worked as Director of Marine Safety and Security, overseeing national regulatory frameworks. Prior to her entry into the Montreal Port Authority, Gascon was the CEO of the Pacific Pilotage Authority and is also involved in the boards of the Chamber of Marine Commerce and Montréal International.
Strategic Realignment of the Port
The leadership change comes at a time when the port is advancing the expansion of the Contrecœur terminal and entering a new strategic phase. The Port of Montreal is the largest container handling facility in Eastern Canada and plays a central role as a gateway for container, bulk, and intermodal freight flows.
