NEW QUÉBEC CUSTOM HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA TRANSFERRED TO PORT OF QUÉBEC
Québec City, December 17, 2025 – Olga Farman, CEO and president of the Port of Québec, and the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, and Quebec Lieutenant, are proud to announce the transfer of the New Québec Custom House from the Government of Canada to the Port of Québec.
The Port of Québec will set up its headquarters at the new address, 130 Dalhousie Street, and transfer its teams there in 2027. This project is part of an administrative consolidation process to bolster the organization’s operational efficiency while keeping its offices in the heart of the Old Port.
The New Québec Custom House was built around 1860 and designated a national historic site of Canada in 1972. Its neoclassical architecture bears witness to a period of great prosperity for the Port in the mid-19th century. At the time, its monumental staircase, built a stone’s throw from the river, gave ships access to customs services.
A Strategic Unification for Greater Efficiency
I am pleased that transferring the building to the Port of Québec will preserve its heritage value for future generations while continuing to enhance the urban landscape of the beautiful city of Québec for the benefit of its citizens. This initiative aligns with our commitment to supporting the modernization of port infrastructure—an important lever for strengthening our economic competitiveness, ensuring sustainability, and meeting the needs of future generations. It also contributes to the Government of Canada’s objective of reducing its real estate portfolio while better aligning assets with needs and lowering costs for taxpayers.
Acquiring this historic jewel will allow us to bring our administrative teams together under one roof, with a front-row seat to our magnificent St. Lawrence River. Thanks to this strategic organizational project, employees will gain access to optimized, highly functional spaces in a setting steeped in history. We are committed to respecting and enhancing the heritage of the New Québec Custom House, and we are proud to promote this symbol of Québec’s maritime history
Work and Employee Relocation
Conservation work is scheduled for 2026 and 2027. Among others, this will involve a major overhaul of the building envelope, including restoration of the stonework. An interior refit is also planned to optimize workspace while respecting the building’s heritage features.
Once work is complete, the Port of Québec’s administrative headquarters will move from 150 to 130 Dalhousie Street.
The current occupant of 130 Dalhousie Street, the Canada Border Services Agency, will remain there until it relocates in the summer of 2026.
About the Port of Québec
The Port of Québec is strategically located 1100 km from the Atlantic Ocean, close to the Great Lakes market. It is the last deepwater port in the St. Lawrence corridor, with a depth of 15 metres. This unique position allows Canadian companies to achieve significant economies of scale in both import and export trade.
With links to more than 40 partner countries, the Port of Québec and its employees handle an average of over 26 million tonnes of goods every year, representing a commercial value of over $15 billion.
The Port is also recognized as the leading cruise port on the St. Lawrence; along with all its partners in Québec’s maritime industry, it contributes to $2 billion in economic spin-offs while supporting some 12,000 jobs nationwide.
The Québec Port Authority (QPA) is ranked 4th out of the 17 Canadian port authorities in terms of revenue. While it is economically powerful, it is also known for its contributions to the area’s urban and social fabric thanks to port spaces like the Agora, the Baie de Beauport, the Oasis, La Cale, the Discoglace, and the Village Nordik.
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Sources and information
Frédéric Lagacé
Director, Public Affairs and Communications
418-929-5031 | [email protected]
Public Services and Procurement Canada
514-923-6937 | [email protected]