An inevitable end

By the mid-20th century, the increasing size of vessels and growing maritime traffic signaled the impending end of the Soulanges Canal and the entire network of canals along the St. Lawrence River.

Once again, Canadian authorities faced the challenge of accommodating ships with ever-increasing tonnage, which already struggled to go through the existing locks.

In collaboration with American authorities, the Canadian government decided to build the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Construction began in August 1954 and was completed in the winter of 1958. The official opening took place on 26 June 1959. Whereas it used to take six canals and 32 locks to travel between Montreal and Lake Ontario, ships now only have to pass through four canals and seven large locks, two of which are located in the United States, to complete the same journey in less time.

Ships passing through the canal remain an attraction until the end, Coteau-du-Lac, 1958
Source: © Vaudreuil-Soulanges Archives Centre, Soulanges Canal Collection, i03

This project was carried out as part of the cultural development agreement (2024) between the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications (MCC) and the MRC of Vaudreuil-Soulanges (MRCVS). It is also made possible through the support of the MRCVS and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAMH) under the 'Signature Innovation' component of the Regions and Rurality Fund.