Montreal's Trade & Commerce
Heavy Engineering, Video Games and Sugar - Montreal handles it all
Montreal is a major center of trade and commerce for the whole of Canada. Industry in Montreal ranges from high-tech to freight transport. Montreal is particularly known for its aerospace, electronics, computing software, pharmaceuticals, textiles and tobacco products. Engineering - perhaps because of the natural challenges present - is a big feature of employment in Montreal with the engineering (civil, mechanical, nautical and aeronautical) all being well-represented.
There are now four major Universities in Montreal and these produce graduates and research studies aimed at the technical disciplines.
With Canada's commitment to the space program, Montreal has developed into the fourth largest center for aerospace employment in the whole of North America. It is not a coincidence, therefore, that the Canadian Space Agency is based at Longueuil which is in the South East of Montreal. The International Civil Aviation Authority and the International Air Transport Association are also based in Montreal.
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Another spin-off of the high-tech nature of Montreal is the establishment and growth of the computer gaming industry. It first got underway in 1997 when Ubisoft opened an office but now it is home to Artificial Mind and Movement, EA Games, Eidos Interactive and Strategy First etc. These companies generate literally billions of dollars worldwide each year and, because of the locations of the companies, this wealth is fed back to benefit the Montreal area.
Montreal is the largest inland port in the world and has a deep-water link to it to allow the big transport ships to stop off along their way from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic. As a result of this trade, Montreal has become a terminus for the Canadian Pacific Railway and the home of the Canadian National Railway. The most popular freights are sugar, grain, heavy engineering, household goods and oil-based products. Freight is 'in transit', off-loaded and stored, distributed locally or put onto trains and hauled around Canada.
The National Film Board of Canada is based in Montreal along with a number of TV companies. Montreal is even used to represent some European countries because of its varied styles of architecture which mirror period properties in other locations. Montreal has been very careful not to destroy all its old buildings and it is a common sight to see a Victorian or even Edwardian style house sitting next to a modern skyscraper.
Other major companies include Alcan, Bombardier, CGI Group, Air Canada, CAE, Saputo, Cirque du Soleil, Bell Canada, and the National Bank of Canada who have all established themselves in Montreal.
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