Press Releases
Chambly Canal National Historic Site
Come have fun with us at Fort Chambly! CHAMBLY, QUEBEC, December 15, 2025 – Parks Canada is back with the fourth edition of its introduction to cross-country skiing program, designed for children aged 4 to 12! This year, the activity will take place at Fort Chambly National Historic Site and is available by reservation. Hurry! Spots are limited and will fill up quickly! Please note that in order to provide learning tailored to children’s abilities, time slots are reserved for specific age groups. During this 60-minute activity, children will learn the basics of cross-country skiing and how to choose the right equipment. Fun games will also be included as part of the workshop! In addition to the cross-country skiing introduction, equipment loans (snowshoes, cross-country skis, and fat bikes) will be available for parents and accompanying adults. You might even get the chance to meet Parka, our friendly mascot! To learn more about the activity, visit the Learn-to Winter web page. Where: Fort Chambly National Historic Site, 2 Richelieu Street, Chambly When: Saturdays and Sundays, from January 3 to March 1, 2026 Cost: $14.50 per child (ages 4 to 12) + reservation fees Beginning today, the Chambly Canal National Historic Site is pleased to welcome boaters for the 2025 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 2025 navigational season! Chambly, Quebec, April 30, 2025 - Work will soon take place on bridge No. 1, located in downtown Chambly on Bourgogne Avenue. The purpose of the project is to extend the life of the bridge and maintain user safety. Work is scheduled to start on May 5 and is expected to last approximately two weeks. During this period, one lane will be closed. During the day, flaggers will direct alternating traffic. In the evening and on weekends, traffic lights will regulate alternating traffic to ensure safety. Delays may occur; we invite motorists to plan their travels accordingly. The main work will involve replacing damaged bridge reinforcements, preparing the surface, concrete pouring for the approaches, welding and paving. Throughout the work period, Parks Canada will work closely with its partners to minimize impacts on bridge users and businesses. Come have fun with us! CHAMBLY, QUEBEC, December 9, 2024 – Parks Canada welcomes families at the parc des Ateliers in Chambly for a third consecutive year to introduce children from 4 to 12 years of age to cross-country skiing. This activity offered by reservation only (starting on December 11 at 8 a.m.). Hurry up, places are limited and will be going fast! Note that in order to offer a learning experience adapted to children of different ages, time slots are reserved for specific age groups. During this 60-minute activity, children will learn the basic techniques of cross-country skiing and how to choose the right equipment. Games will also be organized during the workshop. In addition to introductory cross-country skiing lessons, equipment (snowshoes, cross-country skis, fat bikes) will be available on loan to parents and accompanying adults. You might even get a chance to meet Parka, our friendly mascot! To find out more, visit the Learn-To Winter page. For more information on winter activities at the Chambly Canal, visit the Winter Activities page. Unmaintained And Snow-Cleared Sectors CHAMBLY, QUEBEC, December 5, 2024 – Parks Canada wishes to inform the public that the path at the Chambly Canal National Historic Site will not be groomed this year between Chambly and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. The section on Sainte-Thérèse Street on the island of the same name, as well as the section between lock No.9 and Bridge No. 10 will be plowed by the City of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, as was the case previously. For the last few years, Parks Canada had been grooming the entire length of the Chambly Canal path. However, the nature of the terrain and weather conditions made maintenance challenging, making it difficult to maintain an optimal surface quality. These constraints resulted in limitations that did not fully meet expectations. All users are asked to exercise caution before embarking on the trail, as snow-covered surfaces can be slippery. To ensure visitor safety, Parks Canada would also like to remind users to stay on the path and to avoid approaching footbridges and locks due to the risk of falling. Parks Canada will continue to work with its partners to develop recreational offerings at the Chambly Canal and to encourage the practice of outdoor winter activities for the year-round enjoyment of all visitors to this exceptional site. Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, November 18, 2024 - Starting November 18, 2024, Parks Canada will undertake a series of repairs to the sector gates located near the Gouin Bridge in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. These gates act as additional safety barriers in the event of failure of the lock's main gates, helping to protect the site and its users. The project, which is scheduled to run until April 2025, is essentially aimed at modernizing this infrastructure and ensuring its durability. The sector gates will undergo a thorough mechanical overhaul, including structural repairs that will be complemented by a new coat of paint to improve their long-term protection. In addition, a new concrete slab will be installed to facilitate maintenance and general operation. A major change will also be made to the gates' operating system. The hydraulic mechanism currently in place will be replaced by an electrical system, increasing efficiency and reducing long-term maintenance costs. This work will cause a slight detour for users of the Chambly Canal National Historic Site trail on Rue du Quai, and some parking spaces on this street may be temporarily unavailable. Parks Canada will provide clear signage to guide cyclists and pedestrians safely around the work site. This project is part of a series of sustained investments in the Parks Canada administered historic canal system, aimed at optimizing the infrastructure and preserving this heritage for future generations. CHAMBLY, QUÉBEC, August 30, 2024 – Parks Canada would like to inform the public that work to correct the dike at the Chambly Canal National Historic Site has begun and will continue over the next few days. As a result, Parks Canada is expecting the canal to be open to boaters sometime next week. The water level in the canal was lowered as a precautionary measure following unauthorized work on a dike at the Chambly Canal National Historic Site. Following a preliminary technical assessment of the installations and for safety reasons, Parks Canada decided to lower the water level in reach 8 (between locks 8 and 9) and close the Chambly Canal on August 20, 2024. A detailed inspection of the dike took place on August 27, 2024, revealing that the unauthorized excavation had changed the dike's geometry, increasing its vulnerability. The work consists of installing a geotextile followed by the addition of a pipe and a large volume of stone. Parks Canada would like to thank boaters and users for their patience and cooperation. CHAMBLY, QUÉBEC, August 29, 2024 – Parks Canada would like to share an update with the public on the situation at the Chambly Canal National Historic Site. The water level in the canal was lowered as a precautionary measure following unauthorized work on a dike at the Chambly Canal National Historic Site. Following a preliminary technical assessment of the facilities, and for safety reasons, Parks Canada decided to lower the water level in reach 8 (between locks 8 and 9) and close the Chambly Canal on August 20, 2024. A detailed inspection of the dike took place on the morning of August 27, 2024, revealing that the unauthorized excavation changed its geometry and increased its vulnerability. The engineering inspection identified the corrective measures required for the navigation season to resume as soon as possible. The installation of a geotextile followed by the addition of a pipe and a large volume of stone will be necessary. The implementation schedule is dependent upon the availability of the materials. Parks Canada is working with contractors and suppliers to complete the work as quickly as possible. Three days will be required to raise the water level in the canal and resume navigation. The raising of the water level can be started while completing the corrective work, after which the canal will be ready to welcome boaters again. Although every effort will be made to resolve the problem as quickly as possible, the work will not be completed before the Labour Day long weekend. Parks Canada will inform the public and boaters as soon as possible when the Chambly Canal will be reopened to navigation. CHAMBLY, QUEBEC, August, 22, 2024 - Following unauthorized work carried out on a parcel of land adjacent to the Chambly Canal National Historic Site causing concerning damage to the integrity of the installations, Parks Canada has lowered the water level between Locks No. 8 and 9 as a precautionary measure. A section of the canal road has also been temporarily closed to traffic, and navigation is suspended until further notice. A detailed inspection of the infrastructure, which requires dry conditions, will be completed as soon as possible. The results of these inspections will allow Parks Canada to determine and implement the necessary corrective measures to ensure the safe reopening of the canal. Parks Canada has contacted private docks owners in the Petit-lac area to allow them to secure their assets prior to the precautionary lowering of the water level. Parks Canada is actively working to resolve the situation and will communicate updates to the public and boaters as soon as possible. Beginning today, the Chambly 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! Come have fun with us! CHAMBLY, QUEBEC, December 21, 2023 – Parks Canada welcomes families for a second consecutive year at the parc des Ateliers in Chambly to introduce children from 4 to 12 years of age to cross-country skiing. This activity is free and offered by reservation only (starting on December 26). Several prizes will be drawn among the participants; hurry up, places are limited and will be going fast! Note that in order to offer a learning experience adapted to children of different ages, time slots are reserved for specific age groups. During this 60-minute activity, children will learn the basic techniques of cross-country skiing and how to choose the right equipment. Games will also be organized during the workshop. In addition to the initiation to cross-country skiing, other activities will take place on site and snowshoes as well as fatbikes will be available for loan, free of charge. You might even get a chance to meet Parka, our friendly mascot! To learn more about winter outdoor education at the canal, visit our Learn-to Winter webpage. For more information on winter activities at the Chambly Canal, visit the Winter activities webpage. Where: parc des Ateliers, Bourgogne Av., Chambly, QC, J3L 1Z3 When: Saturdays and Sundays from January 13 to February 25, 2024. Cost: Free activity CHAMBLY, QUEBEC, December 5, 2023 – Parks Canada wishes to inform the public that again this winter, the path at Chambly Canal National Historic Site will be groomed from the Parc des Ateliers in Chambly to Lock No 9, located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. The section on Sainte-Thérèse Street on the island of the same name will be plowed by the City of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, as was the case in previous years. In addition to protecting canal infrastructure, everyone will be able to enjoy the groomed path which provides an opportunity to practise various winter activities including fat biking, snowshoeing, running, and walking. A skating rink will also be set up on the canal by the City of Chambly, between the Bourgogne Street Bridge and Lock 4. Restrooms will be open to users at particular locations along the winter path. Conditions that must be met before the trail can be groomed include ensuring that the ground is frozen, that there is sufficient snow accumulation and that weather conditions are below 0°. The snow will then be compacted until a base of 20 centimeters is in place at which point grooming operations can be carried out regularly. Snow and ice may accumulate on the path surface at any time; please use caution before heading out on the trail. To ensure visitor safety, Parks Canada would also like to remind path users to stay on the groomed path and to avoid approaching footbridges and locks due to the risk of falling. Parks Canada works with its partners to develop the recreational offerings at the Chambly Canal and to encourage the practice of outdoor winter activities for the year-round enjoyment of all visitors to this exceptional site. Parks Canada would like to acknowledge the collaboration of the Cities of Chambly, Carignan and Saint-Jean-sur Richelieu for their support in providing this groomed path. Note that the 13-kilometer-long Lachine Canal National Historic Site trail, located in the heart of Montréal, will also be almost completely groomed by Parks Canada this winter. Chambly, Quebec, November 15, 2023 – Parks Canada will be installing equipment to support geotechnical survey work on the path along the Chambly Canal National Historic Site. The installation of equipment will take place in advance of the survey work which is scheduled to begin November 20. This work aims to characterize the sequences of rock layers that make up the dikes located along the canal to study the water table in these structures. The work will be carried out between November 20 and December 1, 2023. It is important to note that the 1.3 km-long section of path located between bridges No. 7 and 9 in Carignan will be completely closed to users between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Alternating traffic is also planned along route 223, between Chemin de la Grande-Ligne and rue des Violettes in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu for a short period of time. We invite users to plan their trips carefully and to respect the instructions of staff and temporary signage on site in order to ensure their safety. Throughout the work, Parks Canada will work closely with its partners to minimize impacts on all users. MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC, July 7, 2023 – Magnet fishing is a growing practice. Although perceived as a means of voluntary environmental clean-up, this activity is strictly prohibited in all historic canals administered by Parks Canada. Under the Historic Canal Regulations (sections 3 and 11.2), the removal of any object from a historic canal is not permitted at any time without first obtaining a permit. At first glance, while the objective of removing objects from the canals may seem commendable, this practice poses a greater risk to the environment and to visitor safety than simply leaving the objects in place. Stirring up the bottom of the canals can not only disturb aquatic habitats but can also release contaminated sediments in sites that have a significant industrial past. Participants may be exposed to the handling of dangerous objects such as weapons or other sharp objects, as well as potentially contaminated elements. Historic canals are made up of various structures whose integrity can also be affected by the practice of this activity. In addition to bridges and footbridges, the canals include weirs and siphons, water, and electrical conduits, and potential archaeological remains that could be damaged or destroyed by the practice of magnetic fishing. Parks Canada's mandate is to protect and conserve cultural and natural resources. Consequently, such an activity cannot be authorized and anyone found in non-compliance could be subject to a fine. Get ready for fun and adventure! CHAMBLY, QUEBEC, June 15, 2023 – All summer long, Parks Canada's Learn-to Outdoor Team invites families to discover fishing and canoeing at the Chambly Canal. Parks Canada-certified guides and instructors will teach you the basics of these activities in a safe and beginner-friendly environment! On June 30, July 2 and 15, and August 5 and 20, youth aged 6 to 17 will enjoy a day-long initiation to sport fishing as part of the Young Sport Fishers' Program. With the support of Canadian Tire, its main partner, and the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP), this program promotes a future generation of sport fishers. The program, which was also offered last year, includes excellent coaching and training activities for young fishing enthusiasts. With the authorization of the MFFP, each participant will receive a Young Sport Fisher’s certificate, which will serve as a fishing licence until they turn 18. This activity will take place at the Fort Chambly National Historic Site. Equipment will be provided for all participants, but please bring appropriate clothing and lunch! Visit the Learn-to Fish page for dates and details. Free activity, reservations required by email at: infocanalqc@pc.gc.ca. Come paddle the waters of the Chambly Canal! Parks Canada welcomes you from Thursday to Sunday for four weeks this summer at the Pavillon-de-la-Jeunesse Park in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (near Bridge No. 10). Certified instructors will teach you the basics of paddling and controlling a canoe safely, in calm water. Learn-to Canoe is intended for beginners with little or no experience on the water, but good physical condition is necessary to paddle properly. Children aged 5 and over are welcome. There is a limit of three adults per canoe, or two adults and two young children. This activity is free and by reservation only. Several time slots are available between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Spots are limited and are going fast! Visit the Learn to paddle page to see available dates and reserve your spot. Our team looks forward to welcoming you! CHAMBLY, Quebec, May 19, 2023 – The Chambly Canal National Historic Site is pleased to welcome boaters for the 2023 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 Website and follow us on Facebook @QCCanals. Spread the word, and enjoy the 2023 navigational season! CHAMBLY, Quebec, Mai 3, 2023 – Parks Canada wishes to inform the public that lift bridge No. 9, which ensures traffic between the islands of Sainte-Marie in Carignan and Sainte-Thérèse in Saint-Jean-sur-le-Richelieu, will be completely closed to traffic on May 4 and 5, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The closure is to allow a balancing study using various measuring instruments to take place. This study is in line with the inspections conducted on the structure last November. A temporary detour will be proposed to users via Bridge No. 10. Parks Canada has planned this work to ensure minimal impact on all users and asks everyone to exercise patience and caution, in addition to respecting the temporary signage. Unique in North America, this lift bridge, inspired by a similar bridge in Cardiff, United Kingdom, has won numerous awards, including the Grand Prix du génie-conseil québécois (Quebec’s grand prize in engineering-consulting), as well as the Steel Design Award of Excellence. Construction of Bridge No. 9 at the Chambly Canal National Historic Site was completed in September 2011. Thanks to its hydraulic system, which operates with vegetable oil, the structure is 100% environmentally friendly and is not harmful to plants or wildlife. CHAMBLY, QUEBEC, January 12, 2023 – On weekends, from January 21 to February 5, 2023, Parks Canada’s Learn-to-Outdoor team welcomes families at the parc des Ateliers in Chambly to introduce 4 to 12-year-olds to cross-country skiing. This activity is free and offered by reservation only. Places are limited and are going fast! Note that in order to offer a learning experience adapted to children of different ages, time slots are reserved for specific age groups. During this 60-minute activity, children will learn the basic techniques of cross-country skiing and how to choose the right equipment. Games will be organized during the workshop. In addition to the initiation to cross-country skiing, animation will take place on site and snowshoes will be available for loan free of charge. While the children participate in the activity, the grown ups can warm up around the braziers while enjoying a roasted marshmallow. You might even get a chance to meet Parka, our friendly mascot! To learn more about winter outdoor education at the canal, visit our website. For more information on winter activities at the Chambly Canal: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/chambly/activ/hiver-winter. Where: Parc des Ateliers, Bourgogne Av., Chambly, QC, J3L 1Z3 When: Saturdays and Sundays from January 21 to February 5, 2023. Cost: free activity2025
Winter Learn-to Outdoor is Back!
Chambly Canal National Historic Site officially kicks off its 2025 boating season!
Repairing the approaches of the Bourgogne street bridge
2024
Learn-to-Winter at the Chambly Canal
Winter Activities Along The Chambly Canal
Rehabilitation of the sector gates
Emergency work at the Chambly Canal
Situation update
Emergency lowering of the water level in the Chambly Canal
Situation update
Emergency lowering of the Chambly Canal water level
Chambly Canal National Historic Site officially kicks off its 2024 boating season!
2023
Learn-to-Winter at the Chambly Canal
Winter activities along the Chambly Canal: Groomed path
Geotechnical drilling on the path
Reminder to the public: Magnet Fishing is prohibited in all historic canals administered by Parks Canada
Learn-to Outdoor at the Chambly Canal
Learn-to Fish
Learn-to Canoe
Chambly Canal National Historic Site officially kicks off its 2023 boating season!
Temporary closure of bridge no 9 on may 4 and 5, 2023
Learn-to-Winter at the Chambly Canal
Fun and red cheeks guaranteed!
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