McMasterville


McMasterville is a city in southwestern Quebec, Canada on the Richelieu River in La Vallée-du-Richelieu Regional County Municipality. The population as of the 2021 Canadian Census was 5,936. It is within the Administrative Region of Montérégie.

History

The town was founded in 1917 to house workers of the Canadian Explosives Limited which operated until 1998. The town is named after the first chairman of that company, William McMaster.

Geography

McMasterville is located along the Richelieu River, on the shore facing Mont-Saint-Hilaire and Otterburn Park.

Demographics

Population

Population trend:
CensusPopulationChange
20215,936 4.2%
20165,695 1.5%
20115,615 7.3%
20065,234 31.4%
20013,984 4.5%
19963,813 3.4%
19913,689 0.7%
19863,665 1.5%
19813,612 13.4%
19763,184 26.4%
19712,518 2.5%
19662,456 18.4%
19612,075 19.4%
19561,738 15.2%
19511,509 37.6%
19411,097 33.9%
1931819 33.8%
1921612N/A

Language

Mother tongue language
LanguagePopulationPct
French only5,44591.7%
English only1953.3%
Both English and French1051.8%
Other languages1652.8%

Economy

In September 2023 the Swedish upstart Northvolt formally announced plans to build a 60 GWh/year battery cell factory on the grounds of the former CIL factory around which McMasterville was once founded. The factory was expected to start producing cells in 2026 and to employ a staff of 3000. The factory would be heavily subsidised by Canada, Quebec and Ottawa.

Infrastructure

Since 2000, McMasterville is served by the McMasterville commuter rail station on the EXO's Mont-Saint-Hilaire line. Local bus service is also provided by EXO.

Education

The town is host to the École d'éducation internationale which offers secondary level education where students can follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme as defined by the IBO. A primary school, École la Farandole, is also present.
The South Shore Protestant Regional School Board previously served the city.