Channel and harbor dredging - Cap-aux-Meules

The port facilities at the Cap-aux-Meules harbor are the main gateway to the Magdalene Islands, in addition to being the only ones capable of accommodating commercial vessels supplying essential goods and oil tankers. These facilities also ensure the ferry service connecting Cap-aux-Meules to Souris (Prince Edward Island) for the local population and tourism. The accumulation of sediments year after year in the harbor and access channel hinders the safe navigation of boats, and maintenance dredging activities at the Port of Cap-aux-Meules are regularly carried out every 3 or 4 years.

For this project, Transport Canada (TC) will conduct dredging works with a volume of approximately 55,000 m³ over an area of about 68,700 m² to ensure the safe passage of the ferry and commercial vessels within the limits of the Port of Cap-aux-Meules. The dredging of the harbor and channel aims to achieve a depth of -6.5 m at chart zero in the harbor and -7.5 m in the channel.

The Port of Cap-aux-Meules is a very active port. In addition to serving as a gateway for tourists and island residents, activities such as offshore and coastal fishing, deliveries of liquid bulk like oil, dry bulk like sand, and transshipment containing all goods and services for the islanders can be observed. Since the Port of Cap-aux-Meules is the only port capable of accommodating commercial vessels and the ferry, carrying out these dredging works is essential.

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Latest update

September 24th, 2025 – Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada have determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
2 Notice of determination - September 24, 2025

Contacts

Environmental and Aboriginal affairs - Québec region
Email: aea-eaa@tc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Cap-aux-Meules (Quebec)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-06-01

  • Proponent

    Transport Canada

  • Authorities

    • Environment and Climate Change Canada
    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89334

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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