Kirklander helps Montreal economy stay afloat

BY ALBERT KRAMBERGER

editor@transcontinental.ca

Kirkland resident Dominic Taddeo, the longtime CEO of the Montreal Port Authority, had a vision to boost the city’s image as a major international trade port — and to that end, he is proud to have reached record figures in 2006.

The recording breaking traffic at the Montreal port in 2006 is expected to repeat again this year. In 2006, over 25 million tonnes of general containerized cargo, dry and liquid bulk traffic was recorded at the port, up 3.3 per cent from 2005 and topping the previous best-ever performance set in 1980.

“Traffic is up 31 per cent from 2001,? Taddeo said. “Container traffic makes this a major international port.

“Ten of the top 15 shipping lines now come use our port,? he added. “All the top shipping lines used to bypass us before. Then they saw our infrastructure build up, they met with us and negotiated leases.?

Taddeo said he was worked hard over the years to make the Montreal port a competitive force in international trade.

“We have made $450 million of investments in the port, railway and infrastructure, and it hasn’t cost taxpayers a cent,? he said. “We’re a federal agency, but all the investment came from profits. ?

Reaching the new traffic records and making the port respected worldwide didn’t come by chance, Taddeo said. “It took a lot of planning and travelling. I did what I had to do — like meet with major shipping lines in Europe. Part of a CEO’s job is to sell your infrastructure. Once in a while you have to go the main offices.?

With the traffic record in hand, Taddeo, 67, plans to retire before the end of 2007.

“It’s time to pass the torch,? he said.

Taddeo has been CEO of the Montreal Port Authority, an autonomous federal agency run as a private corporation, since 1984. He joined the Port Authority in 1974 as director of finance. He also served as president of the International Association of Ports and Harbours as well as vice-president of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities. In 1989, he was named Quebec’s Transport Personality of the Year.

After he retires, Taddeo hopes to keep working on the boards of some charitable organizations — and “maybe play some golf.?

He said his legacy will be making the port, which was losing funds in 1974, financially viable. “The port is an asset to Montreal that is second to none. It’s something all Canadians can be proud of.

“But we have to watch what’s going on — we have to survive politics and strikes,? he added. “My successor will have to make sure it continues to grow.?

Despite the port’s importance to the city, “international visitors know more about (the 30-kilometre-long) port than most Montrealers do.?

Montreal’s economy and industry in general all benefit by having a successful international port. “There’s a $2 billion spin-off,? Taddeo said, adding about “18,000 (direct and indirect) jobs depend on the port every day.?