Montréal - The Canadian Encyclopedia Montréal Montréal, Québec, incorporated as a city in 1832, population 1,649,519 (2011 c), 1,620,695 (2006 c). Montréal is Canada’s second largest city and is home to nearly half of the province of Québec’s population. It is the metropolis of the province and was the most populous city in Canada for a century and a half. It is located in southwestern Québec on Île de Montréal at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. Montréal is a major industrial centre, commercial and financial metropolis, railway and maritime bridgehead, and one of the centres of francophone culture in North America. It is one of the world's great cities and enjoys international acclaim. Settlement The present-day island of Montréal and the surrounding areas were long inhabited by the St. Lawrence Iroquoians . The island was a good site for settlement due to the natural resources nearby, and the St. Lawrence River and Lachine Rapids made it necessary for travellers to stop there and unload their boats.

In 1535 French navigator Jacques Cartier visited one of their villages, Hochelaga , a large village made up of approximately 50 longhouses and a population of approximately 1,500 people located on the slopes of Mont Royal , a small mountain of volcanic origin. The residents of Hochelaga were primarily agriculturalists, but also ate fish and game. For reasons that remain unclear, but may include European diseases and wars with other groups, the St Lawrence Iroquoians disappeared as a distinct nation by the late 16th century. Montréal (sometimes also called Ville-Marie ) was founded in 1642 as a missionary colony under the direction of Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve and Jeanne Mance , but the fur trade soon became its main activity. Maisonneuve and his group of four dozen colonists were caught in a storm of conflict between Aboriginal peoples for control of the fur supply. A permanent state of war with the Iroquois marked the early decades of the colony's existence (see also Iroquois Wars ).

In 1665 Louis XIV sent 1,200 French troops to the colony, and these troops attacked the Iroquois the following year. Permanent peace was only established in 1701 with the conclusion of a major treaty, La Grande Paix, between the French, the Iroquois and more than 30 other Aboriginal groups. Development Montréal was a city of the interior, in contrast to Québec City , which was the administrative capital and the main port where exchanges with France took place . Montréal soon became the great centre of the fur trade . Coureurs de bois , voyageurs and such famous explorers as René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle , Daniel Dulhut , Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Pierre Gaultier de La Vérendrye all set out from the city. These traders and explorers methodically explored the North American continent from the Gulf of Mexico to the Rockies and established a network of trading posts to secure furs for the Montréal fur trade. The fur trade relied on the labour of Aboriginal peoples and did not provide much employment in Montréal itself.

Strong dependence on this single industry and the region’s weak agricultural output resulted in slow population growth early on. At the end of the 17th century, for example, the city had just over 1,000 inhabitants. Almost one century later, in 1789, the population had only reached approximately 5,500. Religious institutions made their presence felt in the life of the community. Among these was the Order of Saint-Sulpice, which owned the seigneurie of Île de Montréal for close to 200 years and provided priests for the parish church. Built in 1685, the Order’s seminary building still stands on the Place d'Armes. Montréal surrendered to British forces in 1760 during the Seven Years’ War . For several decades after the British conquest Montréal's economy continued to depend mainly on the fur trade. Scottish merchants such as Alexander Mackenzie , the Frobisher brothers ( Joseph , Benjamin and Thomas ), Simon McTavish , and Duncan , Simon and William McGillivray took the place of francophone merchants.

The Scots combined their business interests and created the North West Company to compete more effectively with the Hudson’s Bay Company for control of the fur trade of the Northwest. Despite the disadvantage of distance the Montréal-based North West Company prospered until it was assimilated by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1821. The fur trade played an important role in establishing Montréal's influence over the interior, but from the end of the 18th century the city's growth depended increasingly on the settlement of the rural hinterland, including the plain outside Montréal and areas in Upper Canada . The large influx of immigrants from the British Isles, which began in 1815, accelerated the settlement process. By the 1820s Montréal’s population was larger than Québec City’s, and it had clearly asserted itself as the metropolis. In 1825 Montréal already had 22,540 inhabitants, and by 1844 the number had grown to 44,591. A dynamic merchant class involved in the import and export trade replaced the fur-trade magnates. This group created the Bank of Montreal in 1817 and the Committee of Trade in 1822.

They also invested in maritime shipping and began to invest in railways in 1836. Residents of British origin became the majority in the city around 1831 due to large-scale immigration. Conflict between French and English residents and struggles for representative government marked the 1830s, and resulted in the Rebellions of 1837 . The defeat of the Patriotes in the rebellion gave the new anglophone middle class a political victory, and after 1840 francophone leaders had no choice but to co-operate with them. From 1844 to 1849, Montréal was the capital of The United Province of Canada. On 25 April 1849, however, English rioters set fire to the parliament building (see Montreal Riots ). They were angry over legislation that the British government compensate the French for damage done during the Rebellions of 1837 (see Rebellion Losses Bill ). The capital subsequently alternated between Toronto and Québec City until 31 December 1857, when Queen Victoria chose Ottawa . Fundamental changes took place in Montréal’s transportation and industry in the following years. Expansion of the St.

Lawrence canal system and the deepening of the channel to Québec City made Montréal the area’s principal seaport, while railway construction, particularly of the Grand Trunk Railway , made the city the hub of the railway system. The process of industrialization begun around the middle of the 19th century began to alter the city's face completely. After depending for generations on trade and commerce for its livelihood, Montréal was becoming a major industrial centre. Montréal grew rapidly from 1850 to 1914. The population increased from 44,591 in 1844 to 467,986 in 1911, 528,397 including the suburbs. The city proper overflowed its boundaries and quickly reached suburban communities, annexing 23 between 1883 and 1918. French Canadians in search of work poured into the city from rural areas, and in 1865 francophones again made up the majority of the city’s population. Immigration increased dramatically at the turn of the century, and Montréal became a more ethnically and culturally diverse city.

The settlement of the Canadian West was also important for Montréal’s development, as in the 1880s the Canadian Pacific Railway established its head office in the city. This meant that much western grain was shipped overseas through the port of Montréal, which was considerably enlarged at the beginning of the 20th century. In this period Montréal was indisputably the metropolis of Canada, and St-Jacques (St. James) Street was the country's financial centre. However, Toronto was a powerful rival, and benefited more in the long run from western settlement and from the growing trade with the United States. By 1960 Toronto had taken over Montréal's place as Canada's centre of economic activity, in part because of American industrial capital invested in Ontario. Montréal experienced another period of growth after the First World War that was based on industry, trade, finance and transportation. In 1931 the population of the city and suburbs reached over one million, but the Great Depression brought this period of expansion to a halt and caused great hardship among the population.

At the Depression's height in February 1934 there were 62,000 unemployed people in the city, and 240,000 receiving government assistance. The city administration went into debt because of huge relief expenses and in the early 1940s was placed under trusteeship by the provincial government. The Second World War stimulated production and employment and helped restore prosperity to the city. The 1950s and 1960s saw strong growth, especially in the suburbs where many new cities sprang up, as well as in the downtown area. Montréal embarked upon great projects under the leadership of Mayor Jean Drapeau , several on an international scale. The Métro subway system began in 1966, the International World Exposition took place in 1967 (see Expo 67 ), and the 1976 Summer Olympic Games and the 1980 Floralies Internationales horticultural fair were hosted by the city. The Métro and Expo 67 were undertaken during a period of relative prosperity, but in the 1970s the city was in economic decline.

After a long and painful period of industrial reorganization marked by high unemployment Montréal regained a strong vitality in the mid-1990s, and entered the 21st century with a modernized and buoyant economy. Cityscape The city of Montréal encompasses the whole island of Montréal and some smaller surrounding islands. There are many riverside parks all around the island and along the Lachine Canal. Mont Royal dominates Montréal's landscape, and determined its settlement pattern for many years. After a trial period at Pointe-à-Callière, a point of land at the confluence of the St. Lawrence River and a smaller river, Montréal's founder, Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve, moved to an elevated site (25 m) farther from the river near Place d'Armes. This would become the site of Vieux ("Old") Montréal, enclosed between 1718 and 1744 by a wall which was demolished in the early 19th century. Few visible traces of the early French settlement remain.

Some exceptions include the Order of Saint-Sulpice Seminary built in 1685, and the residence of Governor of Montréal Claude de Ramezay , Château Ramezay, built in 1705. Most of the old buildings still in existence date from the 19th century, as the area's wealthy residents have made way for stores, warehouses and office buildings. For a long time downtown Montréal was confined to the area around Notre-Dame and St-Jacques streets. Since 1960, however, a new downtown area has grown up along René-Lévesque Boulevard (before 1987 known as Dorchester Boulevard). This street is lined with skyscrapers, the most famous being the cruciform Place Ville Marie (45 storeys), which was inaugurated in 1962. This downtown expansion led to the remodelling of the city. Many buildings with historical value were demolished, ancient residential areas were radically altered, and thousands of low-income residents were displaced. Around this downtown core are residential districts dating from the beginning of the 20th century that have the highest density of dwellings in the city.

These houses generally have two or three storeys and were built in rows. Many also have much-celebrated outdoor stairways, a trademark of Montréal architecture of this period. The well-to-do areas nestle on the higher slopes of Mont Royal, especially the boroughs of Westmount and Outremont with their numerous parks, impressive mansions, and elegant public buildings. At the mountain's main summit are Mount Royal Park and two cemeteries: Mount Royal Cemetery and Cimitière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges. To the north the imposing shape of the Olympic Stadium (1976) dominates the district of Maisonneuve. The newer districts built just after the war, such as Ahuntsic on the Rivière des Prairies, are further away from the downtown and have a lower dwelling density than the older sectors. The vast suburban areas, developed from the late 1950s, feature North American-style single-family residences. They cover the western and eastern ends of the island of Montréal and overflow onto Île Jésus (Laval), the North Shore and the South Shore (Longueuil). The Montréal landscape is circumscribed by the majestic St.

Lawrence to the south and the Rivière des Prairies, to the north. Numerous bridges for automobiles and railways connect the different areas. In recent years the safety of many of these bridges has been questioned, and plans are underway for the construction of a new Champlain Bridge, scheduled to open in 2021. Two islands in the St. Lawrence River face the port of Montréal. Île Ste-Hélène was a park for many years and was enlarged for Expo 67; the La Ronde amusement park is also located there. Next to it is the artificial Île Notre-Dame. Built for Expo 67, the island also housed Floralies Internationales in 1980. It is now a recreation playground and contains Casino de Montréal. Population Montréal has had three distinct decades of rapid growth since the mid-19th century: 1851–61, 1901–11 and 1951–61. Demographic growth has largely been the result of an influx of people from outside the city, as the periods of rapid growth coincided with the arrival of large numbers of immigrants.

The most significant growth, however, was a result of internal migration, as a significant number of French Canadians and smaller numbers of English-speaking Canadians living in Québec rural areas moved to the city. Natural growth was also a major contributing factor after the Second World War. Between 1966 and 1981 the number of city inhabitants declined, then rose slightly to stabilize at just over one million. During that period most of the population increase occurred in the suburban cities. In 1996, 31 per cent of the metropolitan area population lived in Montréal proper, down from 80 per cent in 1931. The 2002 amalgamation of the island of Montréal altered that trend as the city population rose to 1.8 million and to 53 per cent of the metropolitan total. For most of the 19th century 98 per cent of Montréal's population was of French or British descent. The British were in the majority between 1831 and 1865, when French Canadians regained first place.

At the turn of the 20th century JEWS from Eastern Europe began to arrive, starting the process of ethnic diversification that accelerated during the 20th century. Natural growth and overseas immigration increased Montréal’s population between 2006 and 2011. By 2011 francophones formed about 63 per cent of the census metropolitan area (CMA) population; anglophones accounted for 12 per cent, and people whose mother tongue was another language for 22 per cent. A further 5 per cent of the population gave multiple responses. While most of Montréal’s population is made up of people from North America and Canadians, people of French and European origins make up a significant sector of the population. People of Southern European, British, Italian, Irish, and Arab origins round out the top 10 ethnic origins found in Montréal. Economy and Labour After having an economy based on the fur trade for 150 years Montréal evolved into a diversified commercial metropolis, focusing on both international trade and the distribution of manufactured goods.

Industry played a growing role from the mid-19th century, and in the 20th century the services sector expanded with the rise of financial institutions, universities and engineering firms. Today manufacturing, construction and services are the main economic activities. In the late 1960s Montréal experienced much slower growth than in previous decades. Toronto’s rise as the unchallenged metropolis of Canada led to hundreds of corporate head offices relocating there. This process gained momentum during the 1960s and 1970s and was fuelled in part by many anglophones' fears of the changing political and linguistic environment. This loss was only partly offset by the tremendous rise of major corporations owned or developed by francophone entrepreneurs (such as Bombardier or Québecor ) or by the provincial government ( Hydro-Québec and Caisse de Dépôt et Placement ). Montréal's economy was also deeply shaken at the same time by a major industrial reshuffling that affected most of the manufacturing centres of North America and Europe. The city’s old manufacturers of consumer products geared to the domestic market were no match for growing international competition.

They closed their doors in droves, and the remaining manufacturers turned to highly automated production for niche markets to survive. The depressions of the early 1980s and 1990s also hit the city particularly hard, and unemployment rose dramatically. Despite social and economic hardship the whole metropolitan area emerged from this fundamental reshuffling with a modernized and competitive industrial structure. The city experienced a burst of activity during the second half of the 1980s, and saw sustained growth from the mid-1990s. Montréal remains the second-largest metropolis in the country and hosts the headquarters of a number of Canada's major corporations. It is also a leading research and development centre, with its four universities and numerous research institutes and laboratories in areas such as telecommunications, pulp and paper, aerospace, software and pharmaceuticals. The 2008 recession, however, led to a downturn of manufacturing and construction in the city, and recovery has been slow. The largest share of Canada's aerospace production is carried out in metropolitan Montréal by Bombardier Canadair , Pratt & Whitney Canada, Bell Helicopter, CAE and numerous smaller firms.

Other important manufacturing sectors include food, beverages, tobacco products, chemicals, fabricated metal products and clothing. Montréal's expertise in transportation and aerospace has attracted international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (see United Nations ). The city also boasts the world headquarters of the International Air Transport Association, which regulates air travel, and the North American head office of the International Society for Aeronautical Telecommunications. The largest proportion of the labour force works in the various service sectors, which employ over a quarter of the employed workforce (27.8 per cent). With its stock exchange and the corporate headquarters of banks and other financial institutions, Montréal remains a significant financial centre, despite Toronto's dominant position. Although not a capital city, it has numerous federal and provincial government offices. Transportation Montréal has long been a key seaport in eastern North America. The constant improvement of navigation above and below the city began with the construction of the Lachine Canal in 1825 and continued with the deepening of the channel between Montréal and Québec City in 1851. Before the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959 all goods destined for or coming from the Great Lakes had to be transshipped at Montréal.

in 2011 its container traffic made up 28 per cent of the international container traffic in Canada, making it second only to Vancouver. Port facilities now extend over 26 kilometres on the island of Montréal and handle close to 30 million tonnes of cargo and 2,200 ships per year. Long a major Canadian grain-exporting centre, Montréal's harbour has become one of the leading container-handling ports on the Eastern seaboard of North America. In 1978, the outdated facilities in its core area were transferred to the Old Port Corporation, an organization created to develop tourism and recreation. The area has been transformed into a popular downtown recreational area called Le Vieux-Port. Montréal was long the hub of the great Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Rail transcontinental systems, and is closely associated with the history of Canadian railways. However, its prominence faded with the decline of rail transportation in eastern Canada. After 1970 Montréal also lost ground in air transport when a second international airport opened at Mirabel 57 kilometres northwest of the city, making local connections more difficult.

However, Dorval regained its role as a hub airport in 1997 when all scheduled international and domestic flights were directed there. In 2004 Dorval airport was renamed Montréal-Trudeau airport in honour of the former Prime Minister (see Trudeau ). A modernization of the airport was completed in 2006, and it now handles all passenger flights. Mirabel now handles all cargo flights, test flights, and general aviation operations. Air Canada , the country's leading carrier, also has its headquarters in Montréal. Interconnecting expressways, built mostly in the 1960s, crisscross the city and connect with numerous intercity highways. However, some of these projects were poorly built and are now in need of substantial repairs. The public bus and subway systems are under the jurisdiction of the Société de transport de Montréal. The Montréal Métro glides quietly underground on rubber tires and handles more than 1.2 million trips per day. In 2007 the city began to look for ways to reduce dependence on cars, which led to the introduction of the BIXI bike sharing system in 2009.

Communications Historically Montréal has been a leading communications centre in Canada and also plays a distinct role as the home of most French-language media in the country. The city houses the corporate headquarters, the head stations, and the main studios of four francophone television networks: the federally owned Radio-Canada (the French-language equivalent of the CBC), the provincially owned educational Télé-Québec, and the privately owned TVA and V, formerly Quatre-saisons. The francophone radio networks are located in Montréal, including community radio station CIBL, Université de Montréal’s student radio station CISM, and CHOQ.FM, Université du Québec a Montreal’s student radio station. This concentration stimulates the whole cultural scene, allowing Montréal to be one of the leading media centres for international French speakers. The anglophone population is also well served with two local television stations, CBC and CTV, and many local radio stations. Montréal has three French-language dailies: La Presse , Le Devoir and Le Journal de Montréal. The Gazette is the city’s English daily newspaper, and there are many other weeklies and specialized magazines.

The major French-language book publishing houses such as Sogides, Québec-Amérique and Boréal, are also located in the city. With the headquarters of Canada’s largest telecommunications company BCE Inc , Montréal is a major player in the field of telecommunications. Multimedia production is also very active, thanks to numerous and creative small- and medium-sized enterprises. Government and Politics Starting in 1796 Montréal’s municipal affairs were administered by magistrates not accountable to citizens for their actions. In 1832 Montréal got its first charter, which had a life-span of four years and allowed property owners to elect a city council. However, the city charter was not renewed in1836 because the provincial legislature was out of session due to political unrest in Lower Canada (Québec). Because the charter was not renewed the magistrates resumed their administrative role until the city was granted a new charter in 1840. In 1851 the people were empowered to elect the mayor, although only property owners and certain tenants had this privilege. In its first decades the city council resembled a private club for important Montréal businessmen.

In the late 19th century poor administration and corruption at city hall led some businessmen to form reformist groups. After a public inquiry, the provincial government created an elected four-member Board of Control, which limited councillors' responsibilities in the general administration. In 1918 financial difficulties led the Québec government to set up a five-member administrative commission, with full powers to put the city back on its financial feet. The city council regained its powers in 1921, and in 1940 it was reformed: one-third of the 99 councillors were elected by property owners, another third by property owners and tenants, and one-third were appointed by public bodies such as the Chamber of Commerce and the universities. The last category was abolished in 1960, and universal suffrage in the election of the councillors and mayor was not introduced until 1970. Montréal’s city council is now made up of 65 elected officials, including the mayor, 18 borough mayors, and 46 city councillors. Montréal has had an executive committee made up of city councillors chosen by the mayor since 1921.

The executive committee has 12 members including the mayor, and controls the legislative agenda, drawing up the budget and the by-laws and motions submitted to the city council. Montréal’s 20th-century politics were dominated by populist mayors who held office for several terms: Médéric Martin (1914­­­–24, 1926–28); Camillien Houde , nicknamed "Mr Montréal" (1928–32, 1934–36, 1938–40, 1944–54); and Jean Drapeau (1954–57 and 1960–86). Drapeau's Parti civique de Montréal (founded in 1960) transformed civic political customs, which until then had been practised by somewhat lax interest groups and numerous independent councillors. The Parti civique held the majority of seats on council, lending cohesion and continuity to the city administration. During the 1970s, citizens' committees, trade-union militants and progressive associations combined forces in opposition.

They created the Montréal Citizens Movement (MCM) and, under the leadership of Jean Doré, they won the elections in 1986 and 1990. MCM implemented administrative reforms and greater citizen participation in the decision-making process but was criticized for overspending. In 1994 the newly formed Vision Montréal swept to power under the leadership of Pierre Bourque with the promise of beautifying the city, cutting costs and simplifying the municipal bureaucracy, and was re-elected in 1998. Montréal and the suburban cities have long disputed the sharing of costs and responsibilities for urban development. Between 1970 and 2001 all municipalities on the island were represented in the Montréal Urban Community (MUC), a public body with island-wide responsibilities including police protection, urban planning, sewage treatment services and antipollution activities. Despite numerous proposals put forward by various inquiry commissions, municipal reorganization remained a divisive issue. In late 2000 the provincial government decided to merge the island's 28 municipalities into a single city. Many suburban municipalities and their citizens clamoured in protest, and even challenged the law up to the Supreme Court, but to no avail.

Amalgamation took place on 1 January 2002. However, the new amalgamation law provided some measure of decentralization with the creation of 27 boroughs, each with its own elected council. These boroughs are responsible for local public works and neighbourhood services. At the regional level, in 2000 the provincial government also created the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal as a coordination body between Montréal, Longueuil, Laval and the other outlying suburban municipalities. Its territory encompasses most of the metropolitan area. Shortly before the amalgamation in 2001 the Montréal Island Citizens Union (later the Union Montréal Party) under the leadership of Gérald Tremblay won both the mayoralty and a majority of seats in the new city council thanks to strong support from the former suburbs. The Union Montréal Party under Tremblay also won majorities in 2005 and 2009. Recently Montréal politics have been tumultuous. Gérald Tremblay resigned late in 2012 amid allegations of corruption and illegal fundraising by Union Montréal.

These allegations came to light during the Charbonneau Commission’s inquiry into the awarding and management of public contracts in the construction industry, launched in May 2012. Michael Applebaum was appointed interim mayor after Tremblay’s resignation, but was arrested in June 2013 and charged with 14 criminal counts, including conspiracy, fraud, and breach of trust originating from when he was mayor of the Montréal borough Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. Applebaum resigned shortly thereafter, and Laurent Blanchard, former city councillor for the Hochelaga district of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and chair of the city’s Executive Committee, was elected acting mayor in June 2013. Cultural Life A strong francophone population gives Montréal a distinctive character among large North American cities. It is the main centre of expression and diffusion of French Canadian culture, as well as the meeting place between the French and American cultures. The anglophone minority also has its particular cultural institutions in the city.

Montréal is an important university centre, with two French-speaking universities: Université de Montréal and Université du Québec à Montréal, and two English-speaking universities: McGill and Concordia . Located in Montréal, the Québec National Library has copies of all works published in the province. A new library building opened to the public in 2005 and is the home of the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ), and serves as the central library for the island of Montreal. The Musée des Beaux-Arts, established in 1860, contains a general collection, while the Musée d’Art Contemporain collects the works of contemporary artists. Other museums include the McCord Museum, which specializes in the social history and material culture of Canada, Pointe-à-Callière, which showcases the archaeology and history of Montréal, and the world-class Canadian Centre for Architecture .

Montreal Lands and Waterways - Parks, Rivers, Lakes, Nature Reserves Parc du la Riviere des Mille Iles - Regional Canoeing, Kayaking, Hiking, Cross Country Skiing The parks main access points are in Laval but it can be accessed from several areas on the Laurentian shore including the Centre de la Nature de Boisbriand. The park is made up of green space on both shores and on the dozens of islands along the channel. While very much an urban area, the marshes, islands and narrow channels provide excellent areas to explore in a sea kayak. You'll also find picnic tables on some of the shoreslines and islands, where you can stop to eat if you've packed a lunch. The park has rabaska canoe tours or you can rent your own kayak or canoe. In August the park is the site of the Descent de la Riviere Mille Isle, which sees over a thousand participants paddling the river. In the winter the park is open to cross country skiers (6km of classic, plus 7km of multi-use trails) and snowshoers when the river freezes over.

From Montreal take highway 15 (or the 13 to the 640 to the 15) and take the last exit in Laval. Head east on Ste. Rose and watch for the signs. Entrance fee Le Parc de la Riviï¿½re des Mille-ï¿½les 345 Ste Rose Blvd West, Ste-Rose, Laval, QC Cap-St-Jacques - Nature Park One of Montreal's beautiful nature parks, the park is located at the northwestern tip of the island in Pierrefonds/Senneville. You'll find excellent cycling and hiking along wide hard pack trails, along with a nice paddling route along the parks shore, a popular beach, a sugar shack and the eco-farm... More Bois-de-Liesse - Nature Park The park is located on the Montreal's north shore in the West Island. It stretches from the back river almost to the Trans-Canada Highway, and from Sunnybrook in the west, on passed Highway 13 to Avenue du Rousseau, in the east. The park has 12km of hiking trails, along with 8km of bike paths...

More Bois-de-l'lle-Bizard - Nature Park Ile Bizard is an island located at the western tip of Laval and to the northwest of Montreal, above the West Island. The park is situated in the eastern half of the Ile Bizard, between Montee de l'Eglise and the Chemin du Bord-du-Lac. There are over 27km of cross country ski trails, 9.6km of which are accessible for hiking and biking in the summer... More I'lle-de-la-Visitation - Nature Park The park is a pleasant break from the urban landscape, located in Montreal's' east central region, along the Riviere des Prairie,You'll find a mix of forest and fields, which border the park's central bay. The bay provides excellent wildlife viewing, watch for black crowned herons, osprey and a variety of ducks, which can often be observed close-up. You can find canoeing, sea kayaking, biking, hiking, all within the parks boundaries. There are 9km of hiking trails and 2.5km of bike trails, which are made up of hard pack and crushed stone.

In the winter there are 8km of cross country ski trails.You can reach the park from Montreal's cycling network, a section of which travels right passed the southern boundary. The park is located off Gouin Blvd east, between Papineau and Saint Micheal. Take Henri Bourassa to Rue de Lille, then turn north to Gouin. At Gouin turn east and drive for a short distance to the parks gate. There are a number of buses which will get you to the park, consult our Resources section for the Montreal's Urban Transit Link. Maps are available at the park office. There is a fee for parking. 2425 Gouin Blvd East Point-aux-Prairies - Nature Park There are 20km of cross country ski trails along with a designated snowshoe trail of 3km. The are 3km of hiking trails and 13.km of bike trails accessible in the summer. The park is rather unique, in that it stretches from, the northern shore to the southern shore of the island, through corridors which connect the three main sectors. The two parking areas in the north that can be reached from Gouin just off Saint Jean Baptiste.

You'll also find parking areas in the other areas, with the visitor information center located in the middle sector. To reach the park follow the Trans-Canada into Montreal's east end, then exit at Henri Bourassa and head west. Take a right (north) at the second major intersection, St-Jean-Baptiste Blvd. At Gouin head east (right) which will take you two the parks northern entrance. There are a number of buses which will get you to the park, consult our Resources section for the Montreal's Urban Transit Link. Maps are available at the park office. There is a fee for parking. 12300 Gouin Blvd Mont-Royal (The Mountain) Hiking 30km, Snowshoeing, XC Skiing 20km groomed, Snowshoeing, Cycling This is Montreal's landmark and the cities outdoor center piece. An urban park, it's never the less a large and beautiful green space in the center of the city. The park forms the crown of Mont Royal, the cities central peak (if you will). It's heavily wooded, has lots of trails and excellent viewpoints.

It's a great place for a stroll on a warm summers day or a quick cross country ski before leaving for work in the winter. Designed by the same architect that designed Central Park in New York, this is truly a people's park. Anytime of year you'll find groups and individuals involved in an array of outdoor and leisure activities. You can cycle to the top of the mountain without worrying about traffic, by following the shaded, winding, Olmsted Road (hard pack), accessible from Avenue du Parc near the monument. If you prefer the street, Voie Camillien Houde travels over the mountain from Mount Royal in the east to Cote de Neige in the west. You can access the hiking/walking trail system from Beaver Lake, which lies along the parks main road or you can find access from the Olmsted Road, Cote des Neige or Pine Avenue. Cross country skiers and snowshoers have trails waiting and equipment rentals are available. There is a small snowboard and downhill ski slope at Beaver Lake, which is perfect for the little grommets. In the winter other popular activities are tubing, sledding and tobogganing. Unfortunately mountain biking is not permitted in the park.

The park is of interest to birders as there are many common nesting species. A restaurant and snack bar can be found at Beaver Lake but in the Summer you just might want to pack a picnic. You'll also find the exciting Tam-Tam drum celebrations, which take place beside the monument on Avenue du Parc, every Sunday in the warmer months. The parks north side is taken up by two large and imposing cemeteries. You'll find many prominent Montrealer's that have found there final resting place here. This includes Maurice Richard, one of the world's greatest hockey players. Lord Shaughnessy, which oversaw the running of the Canadian Pacific Railways while it grew into one or the world's major multi-nationals. You'll also find the the monument for Camillian Houde, a mayor of the city and an early environmentalist. The Notre-Dam-des-Neige and the Cimetiere Mont-Royal websites will provide you with more information. There are a number of buses which will get you to the park, consult our Resources section for the Montreal's Urban Transit Link. If you wish to drive, you'll find parking in the Beaver Lake area. There is a fee for parking.

Parc Jean Drapeau The park is Located on the the islands of Ile Ste-Helene and Ile Notre-Dame, in the St. Lawrence River, south of the city. Ile Ste-Helene has a long and interesting history, in contrast Ile Notre Dame is a man made island, constructed for the 1967 World's Fair. While it's largely an urban park, parts of the park are forested and quiet natural spaces can be found in the surrounding marshes and shorelines... More Agrignon Park Hiking 10km, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing 10km, Cycling A large green space with a lake and some nicely forested areas. The park is located in the Lasalle, Pole des Rapids region, just west of the downtown core. In the winter you can also toboggan and skate on the parks outdoor rink. You can reach the park by bike along the Aqueduct bike path. To reach the park by car from the downtown area, follow Notre Dame Street west to Boul. Agrinon, then head south (left) to the park.

The park is also directly accessible from the Agrinon Metro (subway) station on the Green Line. Consult our Resources section for the link to Montreal's Urban Transit Authority and detailed information on access. 3400 des Tinitaires Blvd Lafontaine Park This is a large urban park, which sees a lot of activity, particularly in the summer months. Arguably, this is the most beautiful of Montreal's truly urban parks and very much steeped in Montreal history and culture. There are venues for most of the traditional sports, such as baseball, tennis and hockey. There are also many walking and cycling paths through the park. In the summer you'll find open air theatre, which is free to the public.The park is in walking distance of the Sherbrooke Metro (subway) Station on the Orange Line. Or you can pick up a bus, here or at the Papineau or Prefontiane Metro stations. Consult our Resources section for the link to Montreal's Urban Transit Authority and detailed information on access to the park. To reach the park by car head east from the downtown core along Sherbrooke St., the park is a few blocks after St. Hubert St.

3819 Calixa-Lavallee - Walking 10km Maisonneuve Park Hiking 5km, Snowshoeing, XC Skiing 18km, Cycling A large and very urban green space, next door to the Olympic Stadium. The park has facilities for the more traditional sports, as well as a section of the Montreal cycling network running through it. In a addition to it's neighbor, the Olympic Stadium, you'll also find the Olympic Village, the Biodome and the Botanical Gardens on its doorstep. The nearest Metro (subway) stations are Viau and Rosemont. Consult our Resources section for the link to Montreal's Urban Transit Authority and detailed information on access to the park. To reach the park by car from the downtown core, travel east along Sherbrooke Street, the park is located just passed Pie IX Boulevard. 4601 Sherbrooke St E Des Rapides Park White Water Kayaking, Hiking, Cycling A small but fascinating natural area along the south shore of Lasalle. The park is an important birding area and lies just across from the Ile aux Herons Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

The bird sanctuary is best know for it's heronries, with nesting Great Blue and Black Crowned Night Herons. In addition, depending on the time of year, you might see the American Wigeons and Goldeneyes. Redwing Blackbirds, Mergansers and Mallards are the most abundant species on the islands. The park lies along the Berges bike path, which travels the length of Lasalle's south shore and connects into the larger Montreal network. The famous Lachine Rapids run alongside the parks southern boundary, providing White water kayakers (intermediate - expert) with an excellent area for paddling. Rafting Montreal is located just to the west of the park and also takes advantage of the rapids. These rapids have a large historical significance and are one of the key reasons the Lachine Canal was constructed. From downtown Montreal take the Ville Marie Expressway, to the 20 west, then take the exit for the Mercier Bridge (Route 138) Take the first exit into LaSalle and cross back east of the highway to LaFleur, where you head west (right), to the T intersection with Boul. LaSalle.

Head south (left) for for a few kilometres, the park is on your right a short distance passed Boul. Bishop Power. Lachine Canal Cycling, Hiking/Walking, Sea Kayaking While not a designate park at all, the long green strip of land that follows the canal and bike path is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the city. Effectively a linear park, it stretches from the downtown core in the east, to Lake Saint Louis in the west, connecting at either end to other bike paths in the 300km Montreal cycling network. You can rent bikes at both ends (or in the Old Port which is only a short distance from the Canal). After a long period of neglect, the canal has been refurbished and the locks restored, to once again allow small small boat traffic to travel end to end. You can rent kayaks (or bring your own) for a pleasant paddle along the canals waters (but don't do any eskimo rolls). Bring a picnic or pick one up at the Atwater Market, which lies just off the bike path. You might also consider dropping by the outdoor terrace at Magnans, a Montreal landmark, famous for it's huge succulent ribs, roast beef and steaks.

You'll find parking at each end of the canal as well as several other points along route, including spots adjacent to Pont LaFleur and Pont du Cote-St-Paul. The Lachine Canal along with the nearby Fur Trade at Lachine site are part of Canada's system of National Historic Sites. Consult our Resources section for the link to Montreal's Urban Transit Authority and detailed information on access to the park. Other Parks Bois Durvernay - 30km of cross country ski trails, birding, 2830 Saint Elzear Blvd East (Vimont) Laval 450-661-1766 Bois Papineau - 7km of cross country trails, snowshoeing, birding, 3235 Saint Martin Blvd East (Duvernay) Laval Parc des Prairies - 5km of cross country trails, Blvd des Prairies (Laval des Rapides), Laval 450-662-4902 The park has a number of hiking trails, which are used in the winter for cross country skiing. There are huts you can rent for overnight stays.

There are also two sugar shacks to visit in the spring... More Laurentians The park is in a lovely natural area with an extensive but easy trail system. The ease of access and the wide variety of activities available make it a popular local destination... More Laurentians Doncaster - Regional A beautiful nature park a short distance from Ste. Adele. The park follows the Doncaster River as it makes its way to the Riviere du Nord. The parks trials connect to the P'tit Train du Nord, presenting you with 200km more to explore... More Laurentians Frontenac - Provincial Lac Saint-François is the parks centre piece and much of the parks activities take place on it's waters or along its shores. The park has front country camping as well as 30 canoe campsites, hiking, cycling and a beach. In the winter both sectors are open for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing... More Eastern Townships Ile de Boucherville Park (Provincial) - Located on islands in the St. Lawrence river just south of Montreal's east end. The park has hiking paths, cycling paths ( 20k in total ) which double as cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails in the winter.

You can also use part of the trail system for winter hiking. In the summer you'll find a very nice paddling circuit for sea kayaks or canoes... More Monteregie Mont Megantic - Provincial Located in the Eastern Townships about 2.5 hours from Montreal, the park encompasses several 1000m peaks. Backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, wilderness camping, backcounty and cross country skiing make up the parks' activities list. Mont Megantic is crowed by the Astrolab observatory which should give you some idea of the excellent opportunity for star gazing in the park... Mont Megantic Eastern Townships Mont Orford Park - Provincial The park is a popular destination for Montrealers in both the summer and winter. The park offers hiking trails, an extended backpacking trail, cycling, lake paddling, cross country skiing front country camping and wilderness camping. You'll find one of the townships best downhill centers in the park as well... More Eastern Townships Mont St-Bruno Park (Provincial) The park is located about 20km south of Montreal on the south shore. Several small lakes perched on the mountain are surrounded by forest and fields.

Hiking trails swing around the lakes and provide several nice lookouts along the way. During the winter, 30km of trails are groomed for cross country skiing... More Monteregie Mont-Tremblant Park - Provincial Located in a beautiful setting in the Central Laurentians/Lanaudiere regions, this is Quebec's most popular park. You'll find a wealth of outdoor activities including cycling, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, white water paddling, front country camping, wilderness camping, cross country and backcountry skiing... More Laurentians Lanaudiere Oka Park - Provincial Located on the shores of the Lake of Two Mountains in the Lower Laurentians, the park has hiking, mountain biking, front country camping, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and excellent birding. The park is a home to perhaps the best beach in the Montreal area. A bike path passes through the park and connects into the extensive Montreal cycling network... More Laurentians Riviere-du-Nord - Regional A beautiful regional park just off highway 15 outside of Saint-Jerome. The park lies along the P'tit Train du Nord (the Laurentian's rail trail) on the shores of the Riviere-du-Nord.

The Chutes Wilson are a great spectacle, particularly in the spring when the waters can be ferocious.. More Laurentians Sheep Island - Quebec, Canada - Private Islands for Sale Save Print Share Inquire About Sheep Island This beautiful little island is a perfect getaway from the big city, with a charming rustic cottage and postcard-perfect location. Surrounded by the maple wood forests and pretty towns of southern Quebec, Sheep Island is close to civilization while still giving the impression of seclusion in the wilderness. The island has a small older cabin that has running water, gas-fueled lights and kitchen facilities, and a full septic system. All island facilities are older but functioning and in good repair. For getting to the island there are two wooden docks, and there is a marina about a 1/4 mile downriver for boat storage when the island is not in use. Sheep Island is very conveniently located on the St. Lawrence River near St. Anicet, and also just: 10 miles from Valleyfield, QC 40 miles from Montreal, QC 20 miles from Malone, NY Read More Covered in maple trees, Sheep Island is beautiful any time of year, and particularly enjoyable when the foliage turns during the Autumn months.

Excellent fishing and boating are available on the river, and there are a variety of other small lakes in this part of Quebec to explore. Also just an hour-long drive to the culture and fine dining of Montreal, you'll never lack for excitement during your island vacations. Sheep Island is listed at US $650,000. Please inquire for more details. Enlarge Map Regional Information Email To a Friend Print Brochure Save Property Send an Inquiry Search Islands For Sale Montreal Bodies of Water: 4 Bodies of Water Montreal, Quebec This man-made body of water was created especially for the 1976 summer Olympics. Measuring 2.2 km (1.4 mi) in length, the basin hosts a number of events and competitions each year including rowing, canoeing, kayaking and dragon boat races. Address: Notre Dame Island - Parc Jean-Drapeau | Montreal, QC | H3C 1A9 Contribute: Add an Event | View Stats | Edit Info Lac des Deux Montagnes (Lake of Two Mountains) The Lake of Two Mountains is named for the two highest peaks of Mont Oka: Calvaire Mountain and Saint-Joseph-du-Lac Hill.

Part of the delta widening of the Ottawa River, the lake feeds into the Saint Lawrence River. Address: | Montreal, QC Contribute: Add an Event | View Stats | Edit Info St. Lawrence River One of the world's greatest rivers, the Saint Lawrence gushes freshwater from the Great Lakes for 1247 kilometres (775 miles) to the Atlantic. It has been used for centuries for shipping into mainland North America. However, its usefulness fails to outshine its beauty. Near Kingston, the river is peppered with many islands, aptly called the Thousand Islands. Affection for this region stretches back for thousands of years to Native Canadians who named it 'The Garden of the Great Spirit'. Address: | , QC Contribute: Add an Event | View Stats | Edit Info Riviï¿½re des Prairies Sometimes referred to as the Back River by English-speakers, the Riviï¿½re des Prairies divides the Island of Montreal from ï¿½le Jï¿½sus, which is Laval's home island. The river's waters run west to east, and are dotted with numerous more islands of the Hochelaga Archipelago.

Montreal Canoeing & Sea Kayaking - Laurentians, Eastern Townships, Lanaudiere and Monteregie Parc Iles-de-Boucherville Located in the St. Lawrence River just south of the eastern end of the Island of Montreal. Made up of several Islands, the park's officials have put together a suggested paddling circuit, between and around the islands, most of which is protected from the stronger currents of the broader St. Lawrence. The park has canoe and kayak rentals. If you bring your own, you'll have a short portage since there is no direct road access to the water. There is no camping in the park. In the summer the park can be accessed from the South Shore and the Island of Montreal via water taxi. If you're driving take the 40 east to the 25 and head south to the tunnel and take the very first exit when you come out of the tunnel, which will bring you to the park entrance. Monteregie Mont Tremblant Park There are six rivers and over four hundred lakes in the park. Many more routes are planned for 2005 (we hear). Both the L'Assomption and the Diable are best run in the spring...

More Laurentians Papineau Labelle Wildlife Reserve (Réserve Faunique) The reserve has several canoe routes from 2 to 4 days in length, as well as wilderness sites which can be reached directly from a lake put-in. A section of the Sept Freres route can be done as a loop if you don't have a shuttle... More Laurentians /Outaouais Parc du la Riviere des Mille Iles - Regional The parks main access points are in Laval but it can be accessed from several areas on the Laurentian shore including the Centre de la Nature de Boisbriand. The park is made up of green space on both shores as well as on the dozens of islands in the channel. While very much an urban area, the marshes, islands and narrow channels provide excellent areas to explore. The park has rabaska canoe tours or you can rent your own kayak or canoe. The Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles is the site of the Descente de la Riviere des Mille Iles every August, which sees over a thousand people come out with their canoes (or they rent, if they don't own one) to paddle the river together.

From Montreal take highway 15 (or the 13 to the 640 to the 15) and take the last exit in Laval. Head east on Ste. Rose and watch for the signs. Riviere du Nord The namesake for the beautiful park outside of St Jerome, the river meanders through the Laurentians, changing it's course from north/south to east/west until it feeds into the Ottawa River at Saint Andre Est, just below Lachute... More Laurentians Rouge-Matawin Wildlife Reserve (Réserve Faunique) The reserve has two routes, the Lac Cinq Droit and the Matawin, both of which are relatively easy and can be completed in 1 or 2 days. For those with the skills, the nerve and the equipment, there is also the renowned 21 Mile Rapids... More Laurentians /Lanaudiere Rouge River 220km in total One of North America's premier whitewater rivers, it originates in the Reserve Faunique Rouge-Matawin north of Mont Tremblant Park and follows a winding course that eventually sees it empty into the Ottawa River, just north of Calumet/Hawkesbury...

More Laurentians Parc du la Riviere des Mille Iles - Regional The parks main access points are in Laval but it can be accessed from several areas on the Laurentian shore including the Centre de la Nature de Boisbriand. The park is made up of green space on both shores as well as on the dozens of islands in the channel. While very much an urban area, the marshes, islands and narrow channels provide excellent areas to explore. The park has rabaska canoe tours or you can rent your own kayak or canoe. The Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles is the site of the Descente de la Riviere des Mille Iles every August, which sees over a thousand people come out with their canoes (or they rent, if they don't own one) to paddle the river together. From Montreal take highway 15 (or the 13 to the 640 to the 15) and take the last exit in Laval. Head east on Ste. Rose and watch for the signs. Lachine Canal The linear park stretches from the downtown core in the east, to Lake Saint Louis in the west.

After a long period of neglect, the canal has been refurbished and the locks restored, to once again allow small small boat traffic to travel end to end. You can rent kayaks (or bring your own) for a pleasant paddle along the canals waters. Bring a picnic or pick one up at the Atwater Market, which lies just off the bike path. The Lachine Canal along with the nearby Fur Trade at Lachine site are part of Canada's system of National Historic Sites. You'll find parking at either end of the canal as well as several other points along route, including spots adjacent to Pont LaFleur and Pont du Cote-St-Paul. Parc Jean Drapeau While it's pretty tame, it's easily accessible and makes for a nice afternoons paddle, particularly for novices. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the park or you can bring you're own. Be careful where you paddle, there are some strong currents in the area. Consult with the rental kiosk as to where you should launch and what you might want to stay away from. The best way to reach the park by car is to take the Jacques Cartier Bridge and exit in the center of the bridge (no kidding).

By Metro (subway) take the Yellow line from Berri-UQAM or Longueil and exit at the Jean Drapeau Station. Consult our Resources section for the link to Montreal's Urban Transit Authority and detailed information on access to the park. Sea Kayaking in the Surrounding Regions Oka - Provincial Park, Lower Laurentians Sea Kayaking & Canoeing: The park is located on the Lake of Two Mountains where you can kayak or canoe on the confluence of the Ottawa and the St. Laurence River. You can paddle along the park's shore for about 8 km. Perhaps the best kayaking or canoeing is to be found at the Grande Bay, which teams with wildlife providing a pleasant paddle along with some excellent nature observation. On the west side of the park their is another nice paddling area, although less interesting than the Grande Baie, it's a good launch site to catch the afternoon sun. If the winds are up this is a great place for wind surfers but not at this point for a canoeist. The east end of the park is more protected when the wind is howling.

In some areas of the park, like La Crete and Les Dunes, you can camp close enough to the water to carry your boats to the lake. This is especially interesting for someone using the park as a stop over on an extended paddle trip. The park is 55 km northwest of Montreal. Take highway 13 or 15 (the Laurentian Autoroute) north to the 640. Then head west towards St Eustache. The 640 takes you right into the park. Frontenac - Provincial Park , Eastern Townships Lac Saint-François is the parks center piece and much of the parks activities take place on it's waters or shores. The lakes are a little small for extensive exploring but if your looking to do an easy overnight trip their perfect. The park has front country camping as well as 30 lake side campsites which can be reached easily with sea kayaks... More Eastern Townships Baskatong Reservoir This vast body of water is comprised of several reaches that stretch for miles and miles in just about every direction. The reservoir can be accessed from several smaller roads which branch off from the 117 north of Mont Laurier.

Part of the reservoir follows the borders of the La Verendry Wildlife reserve. From Montreal take the 15 (or the 13 to the 640 to the 15) north then the 117. You'll find several access roads off the 117 including ones through Ferme-Neuve and Val-Limoge. From Ottawa take the 105 north passed Maniwaki to the intersection with the 117. Access roads lie both east and west of the intersection. Parc Iles-de-Boucherville Located in the St. Lawrence River just south of the eastern end of the Island of Montreal. Made up of several Islands, the park's officials have put together a suggested paddling circuit, between and around the islands, most of which is protected from the stronger currents of the broader St. Lawrence. The park has canoe and kayak rentals. If you bring your own, you'll have a short portage since there is no direct road access to the water. There is no camping in the park. In the summer the park can be accessed from the South Shore and the Island of Montreal via water taxi.

If you're driving take the 40 east to the 25 and head south to the tunnel and take the very first exit when you come out of the tunnel, which will bring you to the park entrance. Monteregie What Two Major Canadian Cities Are on the St. Lawrence River? | eHow What Two Major Canadian Cities Are on the St. Lawrence River? montreal image by Christian De Grandmaison from Fotolia.com Montreal and Quebec City are the largest of the cities and towns along the St. Lawrence River. Geographers divide the river system into three general areas: the freshwater river from Minnesota to Quebec City, the estuary from that point to Anticosti Island, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. A joint Canadian-American project in the 1950s dredged the river between Lake Ontario and Montreal to create the St. Lawrence Seaway. The seaway enabled large, ocean-going cargo ships to travel inland. Geography The St. Lawrence begins at the North River in Minnesota, United States. It flows through 2,500 miles (4,000 km), connecting the Great Lakes region with with Atlantic Ocean.

It forms the U.S.-Canadian border until it reaches the northeastern corner of New York state, where it turns sharply northeast. It continues in that direction until it meets the St. Lawrence Estuary near Quebec City. The estuary connects the river to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and then to the Atlantic Ocean. Montreal After its northeastern turn, the river reaches Montreal, the largest port on the St. Lawrence River system. Montreal is a 350-year-old city located on an island in the river. It is the second largest city in Canada, with 3.4 million residents, and is known for its cultural diversity, tourism and recreational opportunities. Its port handled 24.5 million metric tons of cargo in 2009, according to port management. Quebec City Quebec City sits on a hill above the mouth of the St. Lawrence Estuary, making it a natural fortress. Samuel de Champlain founded its original trading post in 1608 and Charles Dickens later called it the "Gibraltar of America." Its population of 622,000 makes it Canada's third largest city. It is the capital of Quebec Province and boasts rich historical and architectural heritage.

The United Nations Economic and Social Council designated it a World Heritage Site in 1985. Uses The St. Lawrence River system is one of the world's largest international shipping routes, connecting the Atlantic Ocean with central North America. Recreational uses include fishing, boating, swimming and touring. The system also supplies fresh water for residential and commercial purposes.

Question: Montreal is located on an island in what river?
Answer: Saint Lawrence