A brief history
Founded in 1667 Lachine, is one of the first three parishes on the Island of Montreal. Its location upstream from the Lachine rapids made it a key site for the fur trade. Indigenous people have inhabited the area for more than 2,000 years.
Originally called Saint-Sulpice, Lachine was a landholding granted to René Robert Cavelier de La Salle. He decided to search for a route to China, yet his expedition was fruitless, so Saint-Sulpice was amusingly named “Lachine.” The name was made official when the Saints-Anges de Lachine parish was founded in 1676[1].
[1] Source: City of Montreal
The area and its population
Lachine was integrated into the City of Montreal in 2002, during the municipal reorganization of the city and greater area. The borough of Lachine extends along Lake Saint-Louis to the west of downtown Montreal. The area is encircled by the Lachine Canal and Lake Saint-Louis to the south; the borough of Saint-Laurent and Côte-Saint-Luc to the north; the town of Dorval to the west; and Montreal-West and LaSalle to the east. Lachine is also divided by Highway 20. The northern side consists mainly of an industrial park, whereas the southern side is primarily residential. Road and rail transport routes create significant breaks in the urban fabric of the area and pockets in certain parts of the neighbourhood, particularly Duff Court and Saint-Pierre.
With nearly 45,000 residents, Lachine is a medium-sized borough. At the demographic level, it is characterized by a significant number of families with children and a gradual aging of the population, which is consistent with the population across the Island of Montreal. Immigration is recent yet increasing rapidly. However, the proportion of immigrants remains below the Montreal average (23% compared to 34%). According to community actors, several hundred asylum seekers have arrived in the neighbourhood over the past few years.
According to community actors, several hundred asylum seekers have arrived in the neighbourhood over the past few years.
One neighbourhood, three realities
Living standards and diversity
Deprivation indicators such as low-income levels and the proportion of people living alone in Lachine are just under Montreal averages. However, the proportion of single-parent families and low education in adults, among others, is higher. Poverty is particularly high in Duff Court and Saint-Pierre.
The proportion of immigrants in Lachine is lower than the Montreal average, yet there is a higher concentration of immigrants in Duff Court (32%) and Saint-Pierre (27%).
The presence of visible minority groups is also higher in these sectors (Duff Court: 47% and Saint-Pierre: 36%). The Black community is the largest visible minority group (11%). In Duff Court and Saint-Pierre, these proportions reach 28% and 15%, respectively (Montreal: 10%).
Centraide’s investments in the neighbourhood
The growing rate of immigration has led agencies and the neighbourhood roundtable to develop strategies to combat poverty and social exclusion adapted to demographic changes and the challenges new arrivals face. Centraide of Greater Montreal’s support allows agencies to strengthen their capacity and develop intercultural approaches and practices. In particular, Centraide helps to ensure that agencies reflect the neighbourhood’s ethnic composition in every aspect.
The improvement of living conditions in vulnerable areas remains a priority for Lachine’s stakeholders. In line with the 2017-2022 neighbourhood plan, Centraide supports existing resources and projects that seek to align efforts to reach vulnerable populations in Duff Court, Lachine East, and Saint-Pierre. Centraide of Greater Montreal remains in dialogue with community stakeholders to better understand and meet the needs of people living in Louis-Paré and Ivan-Franko, pockets of significant poverty.
to support
youth success
to take care
of the essentialstiel
to break
social isolation
to build
caring communities
*2018-2019 Data
Example of initiative in the neighbourhood
Beyond working to find long-term solutions, agencies supported by Centraide are leaders in their fields and a force for change.
Agencies supported by Centraide
Centraide of Greater Montreal supports 7 agencies in the Lachine neighbourhood.