Press Releases

Reopening of the CN-St-Henri tunnel North

MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC, June 17, 2024 – Parks Canada is pleased to announce the upcoming reopening of the CN-Saint-Henri North tunnel at the Lachine Canal National Historic Site. This infrastructure is located west of the Atwater tunnel, on the south side of the canal. 

Starting in mid-July, users will once again be able to use the North tunnel, which has been closed for several years due to various deficiencies. In addition to vegetation clearing, improvements include lighting, path markings, and signage. 

The North and South tunnels will return to one-way traffic (eastbound and westbound), thereby reducing the risk of user incidents. Pedestrians and cyclists will have separate, dedicated lanes. These improvements are intended to make tunnel usage more enjoyable and safe for everyone. 

Public safety is a priority for Parks Canada, and all work is planned to ensure the safety of visitors and workers. Parks Canada asks all users of the Lachine Canal pathway to pay extra attention to the new signage in place. 

For more information and to get up-to-date information on ongoing infrastructure work at the Lachine Canal National Historic Site, visit the "Ongoing work" webpage.

Lachine Canal National Historic Site officially kicks off its 2024 boating season!

MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC, Mai 17, 2024 – Beginning today, the Lachine Canal National Historic Site is pleased to welcome boaters for the 2024 boating season. This morning, the Parks Canada team was happy to welcome the first boaters of the season!

Whether they’re looking for adventure, fun for the whole family, a chance to explore nature and history, or a break from everyday life, the historic canals administered by Parks Canada in Quebec offer countless fun and unique experiences to suit every visitor’s and boater’s needs.

Should you wish to learn more about the historic canals, please consult the Parks Canada Historic canals and waterways Website and follow us on Facebook @QCCanals.

Spread the word, and enjoy the 2024 navigational season!

WASTE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE AT THE LACHINE CANAL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE: END OF THE PILOT PROJECT

MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC, April 26, 2024 – Parks Canada would like to inform the visitors of the Lachine Canal National Historic Site that the garbage bins recently removed from the banks of the waterway will be reinstalled following the completion of the pilot project initiated at the beginning of the month concerning eco-responsibility and waste management at the national historic site. 

The situation was monitored daily by employees who collected waste from the entire site and compared the situation between different sectors. Although the cleanliness of the canal was deemed satisfactory and similar to other areas in the first few weeks following the implementation of the pilot project, Parks Canada has taken note of the comments received by the public and will proceed with the reinstallation of the garbage bins. 

This initiative was designed to remedy the overflowing garbage bins resulting from the deposit of household and construction waste associated with the growing riverside population, while at the same time encouraging visitors to be aware of the amount of waste generated that is destined for landfill sites. The pilot project built on the success of similar initiatives outside the national historic site and was based on recent trends in waste management in urban parks. 

Parks Canada will continue to seek innovative ways to address waste management issues along the waterway. To this end, Parks Canada will continue to raise public awareness, and will implement its “Go with the flow” mobilization campaign as planned over the coming weeks. New types of collection bins will also be installed at strategic points along the canal to test their effectiveness at reducing the proportion of contaminants currently found in Parks Canada's recycling containers. 

As this pilot project draws to a close, Parks Canada will learn from it and apply this knowledge to its future operations on the site and in its communications with the public.

Waste Management Initiative at the Lachine Canal National Historic Site

MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC, April 17, 2024 – Parks Canada wishes to inform the visitors of the Lachine Canal National Historic Site that approximately 30 garbage bins have been removed along a 2-kilometre section on both sides of the canal between the Mill bridge and Lock No.3, and in the Monk Station sector. This initiative is part of an ongoing pilot project related to environmental stewardship and waste management at the Lachine Canal National Historic Site.

The project was developed by Parks Canada’s Quebec Waterways team at the Lachine Canal. The pilot project is intended to address overflowing garbage cans resulting from the deposit of household and construction waste in this recreational setting, while also encouraging residents to become more aware of the amount of garbage generated that is destined for landfills.

The project is currently ongoing so that its effectiveness can be evaluated before the beginning of the busiest part of the season. Parks Canada teams will be monitoring the section of the canal and will pick up residual garbage if needed. Parks Canada intends to evaluate and adapt this project on an ongoing basis, including the re-installation of bins at Place des Bassins to support visitors at this location. Additional bin removal, repositioning, and the usage of new types of facilities in strategic areas of the canal may also take place.

The Lachine Canal National Historic Site is a recreational area administered by Parks Canada. The canal and its pathways are an integral part of the Ville de Montréal’s vibrant downtown and a part of the daily life for many residents. As a recreational area in an urban environment, Parks Canada is encouraging canal users to take responsibility for the management of waste destined for landfill sites and to refrain from depositing household and construction waste in receptacles that remain along the canal.