Harbourfront History
Historically located at the furthest inland point attainable by transatlantic shipping, Montréal became a major gateway to North America from Europe and an ideal site for economic and urban development. In the 19th century, Montréal’s harbour developed into the cradle of Canada’s industrial revolution. At its peak in the 1950s, the Port of Montréal constituted huge freight transportation, shipping and handling facility.
The creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway, inaugurated in 1959, led to a diversion of economic activity to Central Canada and the U.S. Midwest – to the detriment of cities like Montréal and New York. However, Expo 67 had a major impact in transforming the harbourfront, with the creation of new islands across from the port; the renewed interest in the harbour brought back some economic activity to the area. The 1970s saw further changes, including the closing of the Lachine Canal, filling in of many port basins and a restructuring of Port of Montréal operations. In the 1980s and 1990s the area was transformed into a tourist attraction and green space. The Old Port of Montréal Corporation was formed in 1981, lending some development structure and focus to the area. However, many areas of Montréal’s harbourfront remain undeveloped or underused. Learn more about Montréal’s historic city centre, the old port and railway district.
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