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Pointe-Claire

Coordinates: 45°26′4.58″N 73°48′30.45″W / 45.4346056°N 73.8084583°W / 45.4346056; -73.8084583
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Pointe-Claire
City
City of Pointe-Claire - Ville de Pointe-Claire
Location of Pointe-Claire on the Island of Montreal. (Grey areas indicate demerged municipalities).
Location of Pointe-Claire on the Island of Montreal.
(Grey areas indicate demerged municipalities).
Country Canada
Province Quebec
RegionMontréal
Founded1698
municipality1854
Electoral Districts
Federal
Lac-Saint-Louis
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine
ProvincialJacques-Cartier
Government
[1][2][3]
 • MayorBill McMurchie
 • Federal MP(s)Francis Scarpaleggia (LIB)
Marlene Jennings (LIB)
 • Quebec MNA(s)Geoffrey Kelley (PLQ)
Area
[4]
 • Land18.88 km2 (7.29 sq mi)
Population
 (2006)[4]
 • Total30,161
 • Density1,597.7/km2 (4,138/sq mi)
 • Change (2001-06)
Increase3.0%
 • Dwellings
12,608
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
H9R, H9S
Area code514[5]
Access Routes[6] A-20
A-40
Websitewww.ville.pointe-claire.qc.ca
For the former provincial electoral district, see Pointe-Claire (electoral district).

Pointe-Claire is a municipality in Quebec, Canada and a suburb in Greater Montreal. Pointe-Claire is located approximately 17 kilometres west of the Downtown core on the Island of Montreal and is bordered to the north, west and east by adjacent municipalities such as Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Kirkland, Beaconsfield and Dorval. Being similar to other municipalities on the West Island of Montreal, English is the most commonly used language in Pointe-Claire.

History

The municipality was created 2 September 1854.[7][8]

Henry Whitmer Hopkins made several maps, dated 1879, of the island of Montreal.

"Pointe Claire Village. Close (96)"

"Parishes of Bizard Ste Ann Ste Genevieve and Pointe Claire. Medium (94)"

"Island of Montreal. Very wide (006)"


On the "Island of Montreal" and "Parishes of Bizard Ste Ann Ste Genevieve and Pointe Claire" maps, the Pointe Claire area appears large relative to the size of the island of Montreal.

The lower half of the West Island is named "Pointe Claire", with a second smaller area inside also named "Pointe Claire".

On January 1, 2002, the 27 independent municipalities of the island of Montreal were merged with the city of Montreal.

A demerger took place on January 1, 2006. Pointe-Claire demerged and became the municipality of Pointe-Claire. The demerger map here.

Demographics

Residential buildings

As of the census of 2001, there were 29,286 people, 11,400 households, and 8,620 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,551.99/km². There were 11,656 housing units at an average density of 617.70/km². The racial makeup of the city was 88.06% White, 1.67% Black Canadian, 0.21% Aboriginal, 6.97% Asian Canadian, and 0.87% Latin American.

Languages

Language Mother tongue Home language Official languages
English 55.01% 67.79% 68.49%
French 22.36% 19.36% 25.10%
English and French 1.61 1.47% 5.71%
Non official language only 21.00% 10.59%
Combinations 1.47%

The linguistic makeup of the city was English as the first language of 56.7% of the population, French the first of 24.0%, 1.7% of the population learnt both English and French, and 17.6% first learnt other languages. 26.4% of the population can speak only English, 4.0% can speak only French, 69.0% can speak both English and French, and 0.6% cannot speak English nor French. Pointe Claire is the largest English-speaking city in the West Island per percentage rate, and second in population behind neighbouring city Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 15, 11.9% from 15 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 15 and over, there were 86.3 males.

There were 11,400 households out of which 34.3% had children living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female lone-parent as a householder, and 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average married-couple family size was 3.2.

Christians made up 84.0% of the population, or 51.2% Catholic, 28.5% Protestant, 2.9% Orthodox, and 1.4% other Christian. Other religions in the city include 1.5% Muslim, 1.0% Jewish, 1.6% Eastern religions, and 0.1% other religions. 11.8% of the population claimed to have no religious affiliation.

The median income for a household in the city was $61,133, and the median income for a family was $71,808. Males had an average income of $49,068 versus $29,125 for females. About 5.7% of the labour force was unemployed. The largest occupation categories were 22.3% employed in business, finance, and administration occupations, 19.0% sales and service occupations, and 17.3% in management occupations.

Note: Percentages may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding of data samples.

Education

École primaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys, with Saint-Joachim de Pointe-Claire Church in the background

English-language schooling is provided by the Lester B Pearson School Board:

French-language schooling is provided by the Marguerite-Bourgeoys School Board:

  • École primaire Marguerite-Bourgeois
  • École primaire Pointe-Claire
  • École primaire Saint-Louis
  • École secondaire Felix-Leclerc (formerly École secondaire Saint-Thomas and adjacent to Saint Thomas High School)

Government

A 2010 Jeep Patriot public security vehicle from the city.
Another public security vehicle, being a 2006-08 GMC Canyon.
Pointe Claire municipal vehicle in city's traditional green colour

The current mayor of Pointe-Claire is Bill McMurchie. There are eight city councilors.

  • Robert Geller (District 1 - Cedar-Le Village)
  • Paul Bissonnette (District 2 - Lakeside)
  • Jacques Labbé (District 3 - Valois)
  • Aldo Iermieri (District 4 - Cedar Park Heights)
  • Edward Sztuka (District 5 - Lakeside Heights)
  • Jean-Pierre Grenier (District 6 - Seigniory)
  • Dennis Smith (District 7 - Northview)
  • Morris Trudeau (District 8 - Oneida)

Transportation

Pointe-Claire is served by three stations on the Agence métropolitaine de transport's Dorion-Rigaud Line: Pointe-Claire Station located at Av. Donegani and Av. Ashgrove, Valois Station located at Av. De-la-Baie-de-Valois (Valois Bay) and Av. Donegani, and Cedar Park Station located on Av. Donegani between Av. Applebee and Av. Aurora.[9] The city is also served by several bus routes operated by Société de transport de Montréal with a major terminal located at Fairview Pointe-Claire.

Notable natives

Pointe-Claire is strong in competitive swimming and diving, and has sent several Canadian athletes to the Summer Olympic Games. Thomas Hall, who trains at the Pointe-Claire Canoe Kayak Club, won bronze in the 1000m C-1 canoe race at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Pointe-Claire Yacht Club

The Pointe-Claire Yacht club is an important historical establishment that has been a part of the Pointe-Claire community for more than 130 years.[10]

The Early Years

The Pointe-Claire Yacht Club was begun in 1879 when a group of boating enthusiastic came together and decided to form the Pointe-Claire boating club.[11] They were able to lease part of the old railway pier from the Grand Trunk Railway that was no longer being used to ship limestone.[11] The first years of the club were productive ones that were mainly spent constructing their own clubhouse and establishing themselves in the area.[12] By 1890 they were able to host their first annual regatta with its 39 members.[11]

In the beginning of the Pointe-Claire Boating Club the main focus was on paddling, not sailing. Some members of the boating club felt that’s sailing was being neglected, in 1892 they broke away from the Pointe-Claire Boating Club to formed their own club for sailing, the Corinthian Sailing Club.[11] The Corinthian Club was interested in promoting sailing races, to establish uniformed rules for the Government of all Races, and to encourage building and sailing yachts.[13] As an overall interest in sailing increased within Pointe-Claire the sailing club eventually merged back with the Pointe-Claire Boating Club, allowing their old club house to become a storage area.[11]

The War Years

By 1913 the Pointe-Claire boating Club was large enough to host the Eastern Division Regatta of the Canadian Canoe Association for the first time.[14] The fact that the Boating club was able to reach such a size managed to help it survive through World War I. When the summer of 1914 arrived the club suffered a substantial decrease in members due to the war.[14] They were forced to abandon expansions plans that they had and simply focus on keeping the club open by holding fundraisers.[14] When the end of war finally came many returned to the club enthusiastically looking to improve the club and as well as community life.[15] They were able to finally persuade the Grand Trunk Railway to sell them the east side of the pier, and renamed themselves the Pointe-Claire Yacht Club.[15] The same threat of closure was faced in World War II by the club when manly of the members went off to war or simply did not have the leisure to be a part of a yacht club anymore, but the Pointe-Claire Yacht club prevailed once again. While other such boating clubs like the Valois Boating Club and the Lakeside Boating club went under, the Pointe-Claire Yacht Club was able to survive and undergo expansion after the war.[11]

The Pointe Claire Yacht Club has had to go through many trials over the years but has always managed to come out on top. It has now established itself as an important landmark of Pointe-Claire as well as a vital part of the Pointe-Claire community.

Places of interest

Lakeshore General Hospital is the main hospital on the West Island.

References

  1. ^ Ministère des Affaires Municipales et Régions: Pointe-Claire
  2. ^ Parliament of Canada Federal Riding History: LAC-SAINT-LOUIS (Quebec)
    Parliament of Canada Federal Riding History: NOTRE-DAME-DE-GRÂCE--LACHINE (Quebec)
  3. ^ Chief Electoral Officer of Québec - 40th General Election Riding Results: JACQUES-CARTIER
  4. ^ a b 2006 Statistics Canada Community Profile: Pointe-Claire, Quebec
  5. ^ "Pointe-Claire, QC". Local Calling Guide.
  6. ^ Official Transport Quebec Road Map
  7. ^ Beauregard, Ludger (1968). Toponymie de la région métropolitaine de Montréal. Ministry of Lands and Forests of Quebec. p. 138. OCLC 5935170.
  8. ^ The Canadian Encyclopedia
  9. ^ AMT Dorion-Rigaud Line
  10. ^ Beauregard, Ludger (1968). Toponymie de la région métropolitaine de Montréal. Ministry of Lands and Forests of Quebec. p. 138. OCLC 5935170.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Matthews, Brian R., p.120
  12. ^ Martin, Helen, p. 10
  13. ^ Martin, Helen, p.11
  14. ^ a b c Martin, Helen, p. 14
  15. ^ a b Martin, Helen, p. 16

Bibliography

  • Martin, Helen. "1879-1979 Pointe Claire Yacht Club Centennial". Wanganui: Perry Printing Limited, 1979.
  • Matthews, Brian R. "A History of Pointe Claire". Pointe Clair: Brianor Ltd., 1985.

See also

45°26′4.58″N 73°48′30.45″W / 45.4346056°N 73.8084583°W / 45.4346056; -73.8084583

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