Brossard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brossard
City
Ville de Brossard
Quartier DIX30
Flag Coat of arms
Motto(s):  Si Je Puis Oultre
Location within Urban Agglomeration of Longueuil.
Brossard Location in Southern Quebec
Country	Canada
Province	Quebec
Region	Montérégie
RCM	None
Agglomeration	Longueuil
Founded	February 14, 1958
Incorporated (city)	1978
Amalgamated	January 1, 2002
Reconstituted	January 1, 2006
Founded by	Georges-Henri Brossard
Named for	Prominent family of the region and the city's founder
Area
• Total	52.20 km2 (20.15 sq mi)
• Land	45.19 km2 (17.45 sq mi)
• Water	13.60 km2 (5.25 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	91,525
• Density	2,025.3/km2 (5,246/sq mi)
• Change (2016–21)	6.8%
• Dwellings	37,275
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)	J4W to J4Z
Area code(s)	450 and 579
Highways A-10 A-15 A-20 A-30	Route 132 Route 134
NTS Map	31H6 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
GNBC Code	EQKVD
Québec Geocode	58007
CLSC Territory	Brossard-Saint-Lambert (16052)
Demonym	Brossardois(e)
Rank	67th
Website	https://www.brossard.ca/

Brossard is a city in the Montérégie region of Quebec, Canada. It is part of the larger Greater Montreal area. In 2021, Brossard had a population of 91,525 people. The city works together with the urban agglomeration of Longueuil. From 2002 to 2006, Brossard was a part of the city of Longueuil.

The city of Brossard is named after the Brossard family. This family was important in the area, with their presence first recorded in 1766. Georges-Henri Brossard, a member of this family, was the mayor of the area before Brossard became a city. He then became Brossard's first mayor.

History of Brossard

Logo of Brossard from 1983 to 2002

The city of Brossard was officially started on February 14, 1958. Before that, it was part of the La Prairie-de-la-Madeleine Parish. When it first began, Brossard had about 3,400 residents.

Some homes in Brossard are very old, dating back to the 1700s and 1800s. You can find these along Prairies Road.

Over time, Brossard grew. In 1964, a piece of land from Greenfield Park was added. Later, in 1978, Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Cœur joined Brossard. This area became known as the "A" section of the city.

Changes in City Status

On January 1, 2002, Brossard was combined with the city of Longueuil. This was part of a big change in how cities were organized in Quebec. However, many people in Brossard wanted their city to be separate again.

A movement to demerge started, led by Pierre Senécal, Jacques St-Amant, and Gilles Larin. A special vote was held on June 20, 2004. Many people voted to separate from Longueuil. Because enough people voted "YES," Brossard became its own city again on January 1, 2006.

Even though Brossard is its own city, it is still part of the urban agglomeration of Longueuil. This means Brossard's leaders work with the agglomeration council on certain city matters.

In November 2017, Doreen Assaad was elected as the mayor of Brossard. She was the first woman of Egyptian background to become a mayor in Canada.

Geography and Layout

Map of the alphabetical sections of Brossard.

Brossard is located on the South Shore of Montreal. It is surrounded by other cities like Saint-Lambert, Longueuil, Carignan, and La Prairie. The Saint Lawrence River is to the west, and the Saint-Jacques River is to the south.

Brossard has many parks, including Parc écologique des Sansonnets. These parks are connected by about 37 kilometers (23 miles) of biking paths. The city also has a library that is connected to its city hall.

City Sections

Brossard is divided into smaller areas. These areas are named after letters of the alphabet. For example, all street names in the "A" section start with the letter A. This system was created in the 1960s to help people find their way around.

Some parts of Brossard are older than the city itself. For example, buildings in the "A" and "R" sections were built in the former communities of Notre-Dame-du-Sacré Coeur and Brosseau Station. The "M" and "V" sections were among the first neighborhoods built after Brossard was founded in 1958.

There are also two less populated areas called the "X" and "Y" sections. These areas mostly have main roads and industrial buildings.

Climate

People and Languages

In 2021, Brossard had a population of 91,525 people. This was a 6.8% increase from 2016. The city has a land area of 45.19 square kilometers. This means there were about 2,025 people per square kilometer.

Languages Spoken

Brossard is a very diverse city, with many languages spoken. In 2021, the main languages spoken at home were:

• French (43%)
• English (18%)
• Mandarin (6%)
• Yue (4%)
• Spanish (4%)
• Arabic (3%)

Ethnic Backgrounds

Brossard is known for its many different cultures. Over 30 ethnic groups make up at least 1% of the population. In 2021, the largest groups included:

• Chinese (16%)
• French (14%)
• Canadian (13%)
• Québécois (5%)
• Irish (4%)

Percentages are calculated as a proportion of the total number of respondents and may total more than 100% due to dual responses.
All ethnocultural ancestries of more than 1% are listed in the table above according to the exact terminology used by Statistics Canada.

Mother Tongue Languages

Mother tongue is the first language a person learned and still remembers. These numbers can be different from the languages people speak most often at home.

Mother tongue language

Canada Census Mother Tongue - Brossard, Quebec
Census		Total		French				English				French & English				Other
Year		Responses		Count	Trend	Pop %		Count	Trend	Pop %		Count	Trend	Pop %		Count	Trend	Pop %
2021		90,470		35,285	5.6%	39.0%		10,545	6.9%	11.7%		1,915	53.2%	2.1%		38,160	14.9%	42.2%
2016		84,480		37,385	0.1%	44.3%		9,865	4.3%	11.7%		1,250	10.1%	1.5%		33,215	15.9%	39.3%
2011		78,835		37,340	5.2%	47.4%		9,460	6.5%	12.0%		1,135	97.4%	1.4%		28,665	17.5%	36.4%
2006		70,740		35,510	2.0%	50.2%		8,885	1.1%	12.6%		575	20.0%	0.8%		24,385	26.6%	34.5%
2001		64,655		36,235	1%	56.0%		8,985	6.6%	13.7%		690	23.1%	1.1%		17,890	2.2%	27.7%
1996		65,927		36,615	n/a	55.5%		9,575	n/a	14.5%		850	n/a	1.3%		17,505	n/a	26.6%

Economy and Shopping

Brossard is a major business area for the South Shore. Many businesses are found along Taschereau Boulevard, inside Champlain Mall, Place Portobello, and at Quartier DIX30. Quartier DIX30 is a large outdoor shopping and entertainment area.

A part of Taschereau Boulevard has many car dealerships. You can find almost any car brand there.

Shops at Quartier Dix30.

Arts and Culture

Brossard has a lively cultural scene because of its diverse population. The city hosts many cultural events. These include music festivals, art shows, and theater performances. These events show off the city's active arts community.

Brossard also celebrates its history and culture through museums, galleries, and historical places. These offer chances for both residents and visitors to learn about the city's art and culture.

City Events and Festivities

Brossard hosts many fun events throughout the year:

• New Year's Get-Together with Municipal Officers (January)
• Fest-Hiver (February)
• Gala de l'action bénévole (May)
• Journée de l'animal de compagnie (May)
• Journée nationale du sport et de l'activité physique (May)
• Fête nationale (June)
• Fête du voisinage (June)
• L'OSM dans les parcs (July)
• Demi-Marathon Sun Life de Brossard (August)
• Festin culturel (August)
• Jour de l'arbre (August)
• Perform'ART (September)
• La Grande marche de Brossard (October)
• Marché de Noël de Brossard (November)
• La Grande Guignolée des médias de la Rive-Sud (December)
• Saute à l'eau! (December)

Sports in Brossard

Brossard offers many sports activities for its residents.

Soccer

L'association de soccer de Brossard organizes soccer for young people aged 4 to 18. They also have programs for adults. Soccer is very popular in Brossard because it is easy to play and doesn't need much equipment.

More than 2,500 people sign up for soccer each year. The summer program uses outdoor fields, while the winter program is held indoors. The Association also hosts the Brossard Challenge tournament every August. Teams from Quebec and Ontario come to compete. Famous soccer players from Brossard include Patrice Bernier and Olivier Occean.

Ice Hockey

The CN Sports Complex in Brossard has two ice hockey rinks. It is the official practice facility for the National Hockey League team, the Montreal Canadiens.

Brossard also has its own hockey teams, the Brossard Mustangs and the Brossard Flames. They play in the Ligue de Hockey Junior A Rive-Sud.

Figure Skating

Figure skating is very popular for children in Brossard. The Brossard Figure Skating Club (Brossard FSC) teaches figure skating based on Skate Canada standards.

Lessons are held at the CN Sports Complex and the Michel-Normandin Arena. The club offers programs for all ages and skill levels. This includes beginner lessons for young children and advanced training for experienced skaters.

The Brossard FSC is famous for its annual Ice Show. This big event happens at the end of the winter season. All skaters can participate, showing their skills in costumes with special lighting and decor.

One well-known skater from the club is Sébastien Britten. He was the Canadian national champion in 1995. He also competed in the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Baseball and Softball

Brossard has teams in Quebec's Little League Baseball system. In 2004, Brossard hosted the Canadian Little League Baseball Tournament at Marie Victorin Park.

The city also has softball leagues for adults. These include the Chimo league, started in 1979, and the PVB (Petit Vieux de Brossard) league.

City Government

Municipal Leadership

The current mayor of Brossard is Doreen Assaad. The city also has 10 city councillors who make up the Brossard City Council.

Federal and Provincial Government

Brossard is part of the federal voting area called Brossard—Saint-Lambert. The person who represents this area in the Canadian Parliament is Alexandra Mendès from the Liberal Party of Canada.

In Quebec's provincial government, Brossard is mostly in the La Pinière voting area. Its representative in the National Assembly of Quebec is Gaetan Barrette from the Quebec Liberal Party. A smaller part of Brossard is in the Laporte voting area.

Transportation and Roads

Brossard has several major highways that connect it to other areas. These include Autoroutes 10, 15, 20, and 30. Routes 132 and 134 (Taschereau Boulevard) also run through the city.

Autoroutes 15 and 20 connect to the Champlain Bridge, which crosses the Saint Lawrence River into Montreal. Other important roads in Brossard include Rome Boulevard, Milan Boulevard, and Chemin des Prairies.

Public Transit

The Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) provides bus service throughout Brossard and the rest of the South Shore. Two main bus terminals in Brossard are Terminus Brossard-Panama and Brossard-Chevrier Park and Ride. From these terminals, you can take a bus to Terminus Centre-Ville in Montreal.

Brossard also has three Réseau express métropolitain (REM) train stations: Panama, Du Quartier, and Brossard. These stations opened on July 31, 2023, offering a new way to travel.

Education in Brossard

The Saint Lawrence River and the Champlain Bridge.

The Commission scolaire Marie-Victorin manages French-language public schools in Brossard.

Secondary Schools

• École Secondaire Antoine-Brossard
• École internationale Lucille-Teasdale (formerly École Secondaire Pierre-Brosseau)

Primary Schools

• Académie Marie-Laurier
• École Primaire Charles-Bruneau
• École Primaire Georges-P.-Vanier
• École Primaire Guillaume-Vignal
• École Primaire Marie-Victorin (Brossard)
• École de la Rose-des-Vents (Brossard)
• École Primaire Sainte-Claire (Brossard)
• École Primaire Saint-Laurent
• École Primaire Samuel-De Champlain (Brossard)
• École Primaire Tourterelle

The Riverside School Board runs English public schools.

English Primary Schools

• Good Shepherd Elementary School
• Harold Napper Elementary School

Famous People from Brossard

Many talented people have come from Brossard:

• Patrice Bernier, a retired soccer player.
• François Bouchard, a retired ice hockey player.
• Marlène Harnois, an Olympic medalist in taekwondo.
• Louis-José Houde, an actor and comedian.
• Anthony Kavanagh, a standup comedian.
• Stéphanie Lapointe, a singer and winner of Star Académie.
• Olivier Occéan, a retired soccer player and coach.
• Alejandro Saravia, a writer.
• Claudia Bouvette, a singer, songwriter, and actress.

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See also

In Spanish: Brossard para niños