New Cruise the Saint Lawrence president is Marie-Andrée Blanchet

She succeeds outgoing President Yves Gilson from the Port of Montréal. 

Other newly named board members are Priscilla Nemey, director general, Promotion Saguenay, re-elected as treasurer; Odessa Thériault, director general, Port of Havre-Saint-Pierre, as secretary; and Philippe Bertout, director of grand quay and cruise development, Port of Montréal, elected as a director. Suzanne Cassista, station manager, Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, is starting the second year of her two-year term as a director.

Praise for Yves Gilson

The new board thanked Gilson for his 'inestimable contribution' that leaves Cruise the Saint Lawrence in 'excellent financial position' with a 'solid team of committed individuals well poised to successfully fulfill the association’s mission.'

Strategic plan

Cruise the Saint Lawrence also presented its strategic plan for the next three years with the goal of fostering sustainable economic development for the international cruise sector in the destination.

This is built on promoting port attributes to cruise lines in order to transform the Saint Lawrence into an 'exemplary destination' where all players operate in accordance with sustainable development principles.

Cruise the Saint Lawrence further committed to cooperating with stakeholders to boost cruising's economic benefits by growing traffic while adopting socially responsible behavior.

First winter cruises

The Saint Lawrence region is set to reach a milestone with Québec's first winter cruises in early 2025 when Ponant deploys Le Commandant Charcot on an itinerary that includes Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Gaspé, Sept-Îles, Saguenay and Québec.

The 2024-2025 financial year will also see Cruise the Saint Lawrence implementing the latest iteration of its passenger welcome policy.

The association groups nine ports and industry stakeholders and is supported by partners Tourism Québec, Québec Tourism Industry Alliance and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.