The Montreal Port Authority has nominated Paul Bird as new President and CEO following the sudden departure of Julie Gascon earlier this year. 

Bird knows the port’s ambitious Contrecoeur terminal expansion well, having been hired six years ago to specifically oversee the planning of the project. 

He was the chief commercial officer of the port before leaving to take on a role with Alto’s high speed rail project in March.

In a press release, the Montreal Port Authority says Bird’s return and promotion “comes at a new strategic phase for the organization, marked in particular by the securing of a $1.16 billion loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.” 

READ MORE: Economic Insights – The port report

It is still unclear why Gascon abruptly left after only two years of being in the role. The Montreal Port Authority has offered no comment. 

A House committee recently voted to summon Gascon and Bird to explain why they had left their senior roles at the Montreal Port Authority in the midst of a major expansion project. 

“When the pilot and their two co-pilots leave the plane in mid-flight, that really worries me,” said Bloc MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval.

Before her departure, Gascon told iPolitics the port had entered into the final stretch of talks with off-shore operator DP World to secure financing.

She suggested a deal could be reached by fall. Since then, the CIB offered a $1.6 billion loan.

READ MORE: Pieces falling into place for Montreal’s $2.3B Contrecœur port project 

Costs for the Contrecoeur expansion project recently ballooned to $2.3-billion, up considerably compared to the prepandemic estimate that hovered around the $800-million mark.