Mercier, Montreal

Mercier denotes the eastern portion of the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough of the city of Montreal, Quebec. It consists of two neighbourhoods Mercier-Ouest (Longue-Pointe) and Mercier-Est (Tétreaultville). Mercier was named after Honoré Mercier (1840–1894), Premier of Quebec from 1887 to 1891. Urbanization began in 1890, and the western portion, Longue-Pointe, become an industrial area by the early 20th century. This social transformation was induced by the arrival of large industries in Longue-Pointe and the building of a tramway on Notre-Dame Street. Originally an agglomeration of old villages, Longue-Pointe and Tétreaultville, they were annexed to Montreal in 1910. The neighbourhood's social and economic character was vastly transformed during the urban planning of the 1960s in Montreal in anticipation of Expo 67. In 1960, the construction of the Autoroute 25 saw the demolition of many residential buildings in Mercier and divided it into two districts, Mercier-Ouest and Mercier-Est. 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 limiting the Port of Montreal's expansion along the St. Lawrence River in Mercier-Est. They preserved the promenade Bellerive south of Notre-Dame Street in Mercier-Est. Unlike neighbouring Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, it suffered a lesser degree of economic decline and poverty related to the movement of capital and production to Toronto. 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.