Mercier-Est - History

History

Beginning in 1665, colonists began working the land and built a rural community. The region was initially called Longue-Pointe which encompassed both Mercier-Ouest and Mercier-Est districts. Urbanization began in 1890, and Longue-Pointe become an industrial city by the early 20th century (between 1900–1910). This social transformation was induced by the arrival of large industries in the western portion of Longue-Pointe and the building of a tramway on Notre-Dame Street. However, the neighborhood's social and economic character was vastly transformed during the urban planning of the 1960s in Montreal in anticipation of Expo 67. The Minister of transport announced the plan to build the Autoroute 25 permanently dividing Longue-Pointe into its respective east and west districts. Large commercial centers filtered out small businesses. The extension of the metro and elimination of the tramway exacerbated industrial activity, and the remnants of the rural landscape of Longue-Pointe disappeared. Citizens battled against the urbanization plans of the 1960s in hopes of preserving their village community. The only success they had is limited the Montreal's port's expansion along the St. Lawrence River in Mercier-Est. They preserved the promenade Bellerive south of Notre-Dame Street in Mercier-Est.
Since 1987, Mercier-Est has become well known for social mobilization against government projects intended to intensify industrialization. Social organization still exist today. Solidarité Mercier-Est is an example of citizen's groups fighting against gentrification, further urbanization and industrialization. Their activism is focused toward the RUI Integrated Urban Renewal and Contrecoeur projects currently underway in the district.