Contrecœur, Quebec, a city nestled on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, is a hidden gem in southwestern Canada. With a population of 9,480 as per the Canada 2021 Census, this city is a perfect blend of history and modernity. Located approximately 45 kilometres northeast of Montreal, Contrecœur is easily accessible via Autoroute 30, the main road from the southwest, which continues on to Sorel-Tracy.
The history of Contrecœur dates back to 1672 when Antoine Pécaudy de Contrecœur, a soldier of the Carignan-Salières Regiment from Saint-Chef, Isère, France, was granted a seigneury by King Louis XIV. In 1681, he, along with 68 other pioneers, founded the town, which was named in his honour.
A significant part of Contrecœur's history is its migratory bird sanctuary located near the town on Contrecœur Island. Since 1993, the city has been twinned with Saint-Chef, in southeast France, strengthening its historical ties with its French roots.
The city's industrial history is marked by the privatisation of the steel mill in Contrecoeur-West in 1994 by the Quebec government. Initially owned by Stelco, it was later purchased by Mittal in 2004. The steel mill in Contrecoeur-East, Sidbec-Dosco, was also privatised in 1994 into Ispat International. Mittal purchased that too, and merged with Arcelor to form ArcelorMittal in 2006. The Contrecoeur-West and Contrecoeur-East were administratively merged into ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Contrecoeur had a population of 9,480 living in 4,116 of its 4,252 total private dwellings. This marked a significant change of 20.2% from its 2016 population of 7,887. With a land area of 62.2 km2 (24.0 sq mi), Contrecœur had a population density of 152.4/km2 (394.7/sq mi) in 2021.
Contrecœur, Quebec, with its rich history and modern industrial growth, offers a unique blend of the past and the present. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or someone interested in industrial development, Contrecœur has something for everyone.
