Demolition of the dock and warehouse, and rehabilitation of sediments and soils – Baie-Johan-Beetz Port

The Baie-Johan-Beetz wharf was built in 1970 and allowed the reception of bulk petroleum products and general cargo for the local population until the early 2000s. Since 2016, the loading and unloading of goods, the circulation of vehicles, and the mooring of ships have been prohibited. The wharf structure is currently in an advanced state of degradation. Pedestrian access was also closed in 2022. Despite these prohibitions, the wharf is still used by a few Aboriginal and non-native commercial fishermen.

The infrastructure at the Baie-Johan-Beetz port facility includes a wharf, made up of creosote wood caissons and a concrete approach, which has reached the end of its useful life, as well as a hangar belonging to Transport Canada (TC), which is not insulated, heated or supplied with water and whose lighting is available on demand. The latter is in fair condition and has been unused since 2022.

The sediments surrounding the wharf are heavily contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the creosote in the wooden caissons that make up the wharf. Creosote wood is always an active source of contamination. Poorly contaminated soils are also present on the land lot.

The advanced state of degradation of the Baie-Johan-Beetz wharf and the risks it poses to safety and the environment require TC to carry out a demolition project of the wharf, its approach and the hangar. Reclamation of the water lot also requires dredging of contaminated sediment and excavation of contaminated soil.

The project includes the deconstruction of the hangar, the Baie-Johan-Beetz wharf and its approach, which includes the creosote wood casings, the backfill materials contained inside the wharf and the concrete approach leading to the wharf, and the restoration of PAH-contaminated sediments around and under the wharf, as well as the restoration of contaminated soils.

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Latest update

Febuary 20, 2026 – The public comment period on the project is closed. No comments were received.  Transport Canada is now completing the final phase to determine on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination - Start of Public Comment Period - January 20, 2026

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

    • Baie-Johan-Beetz (Quebec)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2026-01-20

  • Proponent

    Transport Canada

  • Authorities

    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    90163

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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