Saint-Lin–Laurentides is a charming city nestled in the Montcalm Regional County Municipality of Quebec, Canada. Despite its official name using an en dash, the city's own website prefers the two-hyphen version: Saint-Lin-Laurentides. As of the Canada 2021 Census, this quaint city is home to 24,030 residents. Notably, it is the birthplace of former Canadian Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier, whose paternal home is now a National Historic Site of Canada.
The city of Saint-Lin–Laurentides was officially formed on 1 March 2000, following the merger of the Municipality of Saint-Lin and the Town of Laurentides. The history of Saint-Lin dates back to 1807 when pioneers from Saint-Pierre-du-Portage (now L'Assomption) first settled in the area.
In 1828, the Saint-Lin-de-Lachenaie Parish was founded, followed by the establishment of the Parish Municipality of Saint-Lin in 1845. However, this municipality was short-lived, being absorbed into the county municipality just two years later in 1847. That same year, the city's post office opened its doors.
In 1855, the municipality was reestablished as Saint-Lin-de-Lachenaye, with Carolus Laurier, father of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, serving as the first mayor. The Town of Laurentides, originally known as the Village Municipality of Saint-Lin, became an incorporated entity in 1856. It underwent a name and status change in 1883, becoming the Town of Laurentides, and also saw the opening of its local post office.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Saint-Lin–Laurentides had a population of 24,030 living in 9,289 of its 9,615 total private dwellings. This represented a significant growth of 15.6% from its 2016 population of 20,786.
With a land area of 118.29 km2 (45.67 sq mi), the city had a population density of 203.1/km2 (526.1/sq mi) in 2021. The linguistic diversity of Saint-Lin–Laurentides is reflected in the mother tongue of its residents:
Saint-Lin–Laurentides, Quebec, with its rich history and vibrant community, offers a unique blend of the past and the present, making it a must-visit destination for history buffs and modern explorers alike.
