Candiac, Quebec, a charming suburb of Montreal, is nestled on the South Shore of the Saint Lawrence River. With a population of 22,997 as per the Canada 2021 Census, this quaint town offers a unique blend of history, culture, and modern amenities.
Candiac was officially established on January 31, 1957, when the government of Quebec approved the request of the Candiac Development Corporation, a group of Canadian-European investors. The investors had amassed over $4.5 million and purchased 2,500 acres of land from local farmers and neighboring towns.
In its early days, Candiac was home to 320 people, most of whom lived near the St. Lawrence River. The majority of the residents were either farmers or Montrealers who owned a second residence in Candiac.
The town was named after the birthplace of Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, who was born in 1712 at Château de Candiac in Vestric-et-Candiac, near Nîmes, in France. Montcalm, a significant figure in Canadian history, died at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham at Quebec City while fighting for the Kingdom of France in the Annus Mirabilis of 1759.
The coat of arms of Candiac draws inspiration from Montcalm's heritage and the family coat of arms of the first mayor, Jean Leman. The color red, symbolizing charity and justice, is a nod to Montcalm's legacy and is also present in the Leman's coat of arms.
The silver cross, a typical French-Canadian symbol, serves as a reminder of the town's French heritage. The stars and towers, borrowed from the Leman's and Montcalm's coats of arms respectively, along with the crown symbolizing the Château de Candiac, and the maple leaves representing Canada, complete the emblem. The floral emblem of Candiac is the Campanula carpatica, also known as White Clips.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Candiac had a population of 22,997 living in 8,731 of its 8,960 total private dwellings. This marked a 9.3% increase from its 2016 population of 21,047. With a land area of 17.27 km2, Candiac had a population density of 1,331.6/km2 in 2021.
Candiac's transportation infrastructure is well-developed, with the CIT Le Richelain providing commuter and local bus services. Additionally, commuter trains operated by Exo link Candiac to the Lucien L'Allier train station in downtown Montréal, ensuring easy access to the city.
Candiac boasts four main municipal buildings: the Hotel de Ville (city hall), Centre Roméo-V.-Patenaude (renovated in 2005), Centre Frank-Vocino (the old library, now the Ideal Club meeting area), and Centre Claude-Hébert (the newly restored library). These buildings not only serve as administrative and community centers but also add to the architectural charm of the town.
