New population data from Statistics Canada shows that migration from large cities continues across the country, and Lachute is one of the country’s fastest growing small cities because of it. 

According to Statistics Canada, Lachute’s population grew by 2.9 per cent between July 2020 and July 2021. The 2016 Census found that Lachute’s population was 10,082. When 2.9 per cent is added to that number, the present population of Lachute is approximately 10,374. 

Lachute –  which on a day of light traffic is less than a one-hour drive from Montreal – is just behind the southern Ontario automotive boomtown of Woodstock and ahead of popular Georgian Bay ski and shoreline retreat Collingwood when it comes to growth. Both of those towns share similarities to Lachute, because they are located on major highways and within reasonable distances of metropolitan centres. 

The only other Québec municipality in the top 10 for population increase is Cowansville, located in the Eastern Townships, which experienced the second-highest population growth. Salaberry-de-Valleyfield is 13th on the list. 

During the past three years, several new residential and commercial developments have been authorized for construction in Lachute, and the municipal government is focusing on priorities that will both enable and sustain further development. Mayor Bernard Bigras-Denis is welcoming the growth. 

“I think it’s good for us, it’s good for our community,” he said. 

Bigras-Denis said the population increase is the reason council is seeking to improve parks, recreational paths, and environmental assets in Lachute. He believes those things can be done while still encouraging development and said the municipal government communicates its needs for recreational and environmental infrastructure with developers. 

“We already discussed it with the promoters to tell them what we expect,” said Bigras-Denis. 

Chambre de commerce et d’industrie d’Argenteuil (CCIA) Executive Director Marie-Josée Lapierre said the population growth is proof that Lachute and all of Argenteuil is a good place to live and work. 

“It confirms it’s a good region with good qualities.” 

Lapierre said the growth in population is an indication of the need to reimagine the region and accommodate more housing and traffic. She said the region needs to be prepared for different demographics and development. 

Overall, Lapierre said population growth is good for business in the area.