The Department is directly involved in marine transportation. Its main actions are to promote the development of the marine transportation system within a perspective of competitiveness, modal integration, enhancement of the St. Lawrence and sustainable development and to contribute to the mobility of persons and freight, particularly by supporting efficient ferry services.
To achieve these objectives, the Department has established a financial assistance program: the Assistance Program for Modal Integration, a means of concrete action included in the Marine Transportation Policy published by the gouvernement du Québec on August 21, 2001.
Moreover, in accordance with the Climate Change Action Plan adopted in 2006 by the Gouvernement du Québec, the Green Fund was created, financed by a royalty collected from oil and gas distributors. The Ministère des Transports du Québec is responsible for the application of Action 8 of this plan, entitled “Encourage the implementation of intermodal projects for Rail and Marine transportation”. Thus, the Gouvernement du Québec adopted the Assistance Program Aiming to Reduce or Avoid Greenhouse Gas Emissions through the implementation of intermodal Rail and Marine Transport projects (PAREGES). This program has a $60 million budget for 2006-2012, representing grants of $10 million a year for 6 years, to implement this action.
Moreover, the Government of Québec offers tax incentives to marine workers, in particular, a tax holiday granted to sailors residing in Québec and who are involved in international freight transportation. This tax holiday, administered by the ministère des Transports du Québec in collaboration with Revenu Québec, aims to stimulate the marine freight transportation industry and increase its competitiveness in international markets.
