Hudson, Quebec

Hudson is an off-island suburb of Montreal, with a population of 5,135 (2011 Census). It is located on the south-west bank of the lower Ottawa River, in Vaudreuil-Soulanges Regional County Municipality. Situated about 60 kilometres (37 mi) west of downtown Montreal, many residents commute to work on the Island of Montreal.

Hudson
City
Location within Vaudreuil-Soulanges RCM
Location within Vaudreuil-Soulanges RCM
Hudson is located in Southern Quebec
Hudson
Hudson
Location in southern Quebec
Coordinates: 45°27′N 74°09′W[1]
CountryCanada
ProvinceQuebec
RegionMontérégie
RCMVaudreuil-Soulanges
ConstitutedJune 7, 1969
Government
[2][3]
 • MayorChloe Hutchison
 • Federal ridingVaudreuil-Soulanges
 • Prov. ridingSoulanges
Area
[2][4]
 • Total36.50 km2 (14.09 sq mi)
 • Land21.87 km2 (8.44 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)[4][5]
 • Total5,157
 • Density237.1/km2 (614/sq mi)
 • Pop 2011-2016
Increase 0.4%
 • Dwellings
2,373
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
J0P
Area code(s)450 and 579
Highways
A-40
R-201
R-342
Websitewww.ville.hudson.qc.ca

Hudson is a municipality within Greater Montreal. An informal rural agglomeration since the early part of the 19th century, the Town of Hudson was formally created in June 1969 by merging the villages of Hudson, Hudson Heights and Como. A relatively wealthy town, Hudson is known for its large, turn-of-the century houses, many of which border the Lake of Two Mountains. A ferry from Hudson takes cars across the lake (a widening of the Ottawa River) to the village of Oka.

Hudson has been compared to culturally and demographically similar Quebec towns such as the Eastern Townships villages of North Hatley and Brome Lake as well as nearby Senneville. All four municipalities border a body of water (used extensively for recreation year-round) and include a blend of French and English residents.

Geography

Hudson is near the edge of suburban Montreal to the east, but also surrounded by substantial farming and forest areas to the west. Large lot sizes, enforced by town bylaws, contribute to the relatively large number of trees in the residential areas. Zoning, infrastructure and building development are occasionally controversial subjects, such as when town residents voted against permitting Gheorghe Zamfir to build a concert hall near the edge of town in the 1980s. In 2001, the town won a victory in Canada's Supreme Court, upholding its by-law 207, which bans pesticide use on public and private property for cosmetic (purely aesthetic) purposes.

The municipal territory of Hudson is delimited as follows:

  • 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) with the limit of Saint-Placide;
  • 11.4 kilometres (7.1 mi) with the limit of Oka;
  • 16.2 kilometres (10.1 mi) with the limit of Vaudreuil-Dorion;
  • 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) with the limit of Rigaud.

Thus, the northern limit of Hudson stretches over 13.5 kilometres (8.4 mi) in the middle of Lac-des-Deux-Montagnes, i.e. between Pointe Graham (west side) facing Saint-Placide and Pointe Cavagnal (side East) facing Oka. This shoreline strip of land is of a width varying between 2.3 kilometres (1.4 mi) (to the east) up to a maximum of 3.4 kilometres (2.1 mi) to the west.

Physical environment

The bedrock under Hudson is Cambrian Period sandstone. This is overlain by marine clay or stony sandy loam glacial till. On the surface are sands which were deposited by air or water. Most of Hudson is built on the Ste-Sophie loamy fine sand, which is well drained and drought-prone despite its clay base; undisturbed areas have classic podzol development. Several blocks away from the river the sands become deeper, coarser and even more xeric; they are mapped as Upland sand which is also a podzol.[6]

History

The local post office opened in 1841, originally named Pointe-à-Cavagnol. In 1845, a glass factory was established there by George Matthews, whose wife was called Elisa Hudson. Her name was adopted by the post office in 1865.[1]

In 1877, the Village Municipality of Como was formed when it separated from Vaudreuil. This village was named after Lake Como in Italy due to its scenic location on Lake of Two Mountains. It was renamed to Hudson in 1921.[1]

4 years later, in 1925, the new Village Municipality of McNaughton was split off from Hudson. The following year, Hudson was renamed to Hudson Heights, and McNaughton took the name Hudson.[1][7]

In June 1969, the Town of Hudson was formed by amalgamating the village municipalities of Hudson, Hudson Heights, and Como (which was originally formed as Como-Est in 1918).[1][7]

In April 2023, 2898 people lost electricity due to a massive power outage cause because of a storm of black ice.[8]

Pesticide Ban

The town gained notoriety in 1991 by becoming the first in Quebec, Canada to ban several forms of lawn and garden pesticides used to kill insects and weeds. The town was sued by two pesticide companies and on June 28, 2001, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in the town's favour.[9] The Hudson example spurred many other municipalities and provinces in Canada to enact similar bans of pesticides.[9] The Hudson case is the subject of a 2009 American documentary movie titled A Chemical Reaction by filmmaker Brett Plymale.[10]

Demographics
Historical Census Data - Hudson, Quebec
YearPop.±%
1976 4,480—    
1981 4,414−1.5%
1986 4,426+0.3%
1991 4,829+9.1%
1996 4,796−0.7%
2001 4,796+0.0%
2006 5,088+6.1%
2011 5,135+0.9%
2016 5,157+0.4%
Source: Statistics Canada[4][5][11]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Hudson had a population of 5,411 living in 2,338 of its 2,447 total private dwellings, a change of 4.9% from its 2016 population of 5,157. With a land area of 21.79 km2 (8.41 sq mi), it had a population density of 248.3/km2 (643.2/sq mi) in 2021.[12]

Canada census – Hudson community profile
202120162011
Population5,411 (+4.9% from 2016)5,157 (0.4% from 2011)5,135 (+0.9% from 2006)
Land area21.79 km2 (8.41 sq mi)21.87 km2 (8.44 sq mi)21.90 km2 (8.46 sq mi)
Population density248.4/km2 (643/sq mi)237.1/km2 (614/sq mi)234.5/km2 (607/sq mi)
Median age54 (M: 53.6, F: 54.4)52.7 (M: 52.3, F: 53.1)49.4 (M: 48.6, F: 50.0)
Private dwellings2,340 (total)  2,373 (total)  2,229 (total) 
Median household income$85,120$79,186
References: 2021[13] 2016[14] 2011[15] earlier[16][17]

Unlike the surrounding mainly French-speaking municipalities, Hudson has a predominantly English-speaking population (65% according to the 2011 Census), although many residents speak both languages.

Canada Census Mother Tongue - Hudson, Quebec[18]
Census Total
French
English
French & English
Other
Year Responses Count Trend Pop % Count Trend Pop % Count Trend Pop % Count Trend Pop %
2011
5,115
 1,175 Increase 6.8% 22.97% 3,375 Increase 0.3% 65.98% 120 Steady 0.0% 2.35% 445 Decrease 11.0% 8.70%
2006
5,085
 1,100 Decrease 6.4% 21.63% 3,365 Increase 8.2% 66.18% 120 Increase 9.1% 2.36% 500 Increase 26.6% 9.83%
2001
4,790
 1,175 Increase 16.3% 24.53% 3,110 Decrease 8.5% 64.93% 110 Increase 144.4% 2.30% 395 Increase 25.4% 8.25%
1996
4,770
 1,010 n/a 21.17% 3,400 n/a 71.28% 45 n/a 0.94% 315 n/a 6.60%
Ethnic origin (2006)
Ethnic origin Population Percentage (%)
English 1,465 35%
Canadian 1,240 29%
Scottish 945 22%
French 925 22%
Irish 835 20%
German 455 11%
British Isles, n.i.e. 185 4%
Polish 175 4%
Italian 150 4%
Ukrainian 135 3%

Events and tourist attractions
Hudson Museum

Tourist attractions of Hudson include:

  • Artistes Hudson Artists, Quebec's oldest continuing English language art club
  • Hudson & Region Studio Tour
  • The Hudson Players Club, Quebec's oldest continually operating theatre company, English or French, professional or amateur
  • The Village Theatre (located in the historical train station)
  • The Hudson Film Society
  • Greenwood Centre for Living History[19]
  • St. James', St. Mary's, Wyman Memorial United and St. Thomas Aquinas churches
  • Chateau du Lac (bar in a historic building)
  • The Hudson Music Fest

Notable annual events in Hudson include the Hudson Street Fair, the Hudson Yacht Club Labour Day Regatta, the FruitBowl Regatta (North America's most well-attended youth sailing event), Canada Day festivities, Shiver Fest (a winter carnival), the Turn on the Lights Festival, the Hudson & Region Studio Tour, the Home & Gardens Tour, the Hudson Festival of Canadian Film, the Santa Claus Parade and (as of 2010) the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Hudson Yacht Club

The Hudson Yacht Club (HYC) is a boating and social club founded in 1909 on the shores of Lake of Two Mountains (Lac des Deux Montagnes). The club annually hosts the "FruitBowl" regatta for young sailors and the Labour Day Regatta for its general membership and visitors. The HYC has published two retrospectives: Hudson Yacht Club: Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Year in 1984[20] and Our Spirit Lives On: A Celebration of Hudson Yacht Club's First 100 Years, 1909-2009 in 2009.[21]

Government

Municipal council

The Quebec Cities and Towns Act requires all towns the size of Hudson to have a municipal council of six councillors and one mayor, elected by the local population every four years. The mayor is elected by all Hudson residents, while the town is divided into six wards to elect the councillors. Given the small size of the town, council seats are often won by acclamation. Council meets once per month in the Stephen Shaar Community Centre, named after the mayor who served until 2004 (and presided over its construction). Municipal administrators work in the Town Hall. Town council is responsible for things such as water supply, local road maintenance, zoning, construction permits, and administration of parks. Some responsibilities, such as regional planning, is shared with the county. Council receives its revenues through property taxes, which it establishes. The town maintains its own volunteer fire department and a local patrol to enforce municipal by-laws.

Hudson Town Hall
Mayor
Chloe Hutchison
Councillor District
Helen Kurgansky #1 Como
Austin Rikley-Krindle #2 Hudson - East
Chloe Hutchison #3 Hudson – Center
Barbara Robinson #4 Fairhaven
Jim Duff #5 Heights - East
Daren Legault #6 West

Former mayors

List of former mayors:[22]

  • George N. Armstrong (1969–1973)
  • Job Taylor Bradbury (1973–1989)
  • Gilbert Michael Elliott (1989–1993, 2009–2013)
  • Stephen F. Shaar (1993–2004)
  • Elizabeth Corker (2004–2009)
  • Diane Paciente (interim mayor 2013)
  • Ed Prévost (2013–2017)
  • Jamie Nicholls (2017–2021)
  • Chloe Hutchison (2021–present)

Infrastructure

Transportation

A single street, Main Road, traverses Hudson east to west, while the southern border of the town mainly runs along Quebec Route 342 (also known as Boulevard Harwood). Although many residents commute by automobile, a commuter train to Montreal (Vaudreuil-Hudson Line) stops in Hudson once per weekday in either direction.

The town is also served by the 21 bus from the Exo La Presqu'Île, terminating at the Vaudreuil train station.

Ferry to Oka
Ferry boat from Oka

Since 1909, a ferry across the Lake of Two Mountains has run from Hudson to Oka during the spring, summer and fall.[23][24] Ferries are self-propelled and take ten to fifteen minutes to carry multiple automobiles, bike passengers, and foot passengers for a fee. Prior to the change to self-propelled ferries, a system of barges were towed across the lake by ropes attached to diesel powered tugboats.

During the winter months, a tolled ice bridge allows vehicular traffic between the two towns.[25]

Water and sewage

Hudson has a municipal water and sewage system. The sewage system was built in the first decade of the 21st century and serves the central area of town. It is relatively common for houses outside the central area to use well water and/or a septic tank.

Municipal facilities

The town operates the Stephen Shaar Community Centre, teen centre (in the lower level of the community centre) and a municipal outdoor swimming pool. The town also has a number of parks, including St. Thomas Park (soccer fields behind the swimming pool), Thompson park (lakeside soccer fields), Benson Park (with a softball field, children's playground with outdoor hockey and skating rinks), Jack Layton Park (trails to Sandy Beach, picnic area and public boat launch) and Sandy Beach.

Education

The town has three schools, of which two are English (Mount Pleasant Elementary School & Westwood Senior, formerly Hudson High School) and one French (St-Thomas Elementary School), as well as six churches: one Baptist (Hudson Community Baptist Church [26]), one Catholic (St-Thomas Aquinas), two Anglican (St-James & St-Mary's), one United (Wyman), and one Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (Hudson-Saint-Lazare)

Commission Scolaire des Trois-Lacs operates Francophone schools.[27]

  • École Saint-Thomas

Lester B. Pearson School Board operates Anglophone schools.[28]

Notable people
  • Jack Layton, former leader of the New Democratic Party
  • Patrick Watson, musician, best known for 2007 single "The great escape"
  • Paul Frappier was a Montreal-based Canadian entertainer, musician, and hip hop MC of Haitian origin, better known by his stage name Bad News Brown.
  • Jean-Paul L'Allier, former mayor of Quebec City
  • Vanessa Lengies, actress, best known for "Are you afraid of the dark", "Popular Mechanics For Kids", American Dreams and Glee,
  • Matthew Lombardi, NHL hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (formerly Calgary Flames, Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators)
  • A.M. Pattison, artist, commercial artist and architect
  • Daniel Shelton, comic artist, for syndicated comic strip Ben.
  • Larry Smith, former Canadian Football League Commissioner and current Conservative Senator
  • Amanda Walsh, best known for being a MuchMusic VJ (2000–2004), as well as her role in film 'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past' (2009), and recurring roles in 'Sons & Daughters' and 'The Big Bang Theory'
  • Sam Goldberg Jr., musician, best known as member of Broken Social Scene
  • Lorne Elliott, comedian, musician and former presenter for CBC Radio
  • P.J. Stock, former NHL hockey player for the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins and current commentator on French-Canadian sports channel RDS
  • Kuno Wittmer, racing driver

See also

References
  1. "Reference number 29182 in Banque de noms de lieux du Québec". toponymie.gouv.qc.ca (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec.
  2. "Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire: Hudson". Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
  3. "Parliament of Canada Federal Riding History: VAUDREUIL--SOULANGES (Quebec)". Archived from the original on 2009-06-18. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  4. "Hudson, Quebec (Code 2471100) Census Profile". 2016 census. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada.
  5. "Population and dwelling count amendments, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  6. "Soil Survey of Soulanges and Vaudreuil Counties". 13 December 2013.
  7. Janko Pavsic (16 February 2021). "VAUDREUIL (entités initiales de 1845 ultérieurement composantes du Comté de Vaudreuil)" (PDF). Institut généalogique Drouin. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  8. Brisson, Jessica (6 April 2023). "Pannes: le bilan est toujours lourd dans Vaudreuil-Soulanges". Néomédia. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  9. Town of Hudson. "Environment". Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  10. A Chemical Reaction, retrieved 2019-03-21
  11. 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 census
  12. "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Quebec". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  13. "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  14. "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
  15. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  16. "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
  17. "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
  18. Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 census
  19. "That Was Phoebe: A Community Remembers its Past". www.virtualmuseum.ca. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  20. Hudson Yacht Club, Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Year: 1909-1984. Hudson, Québec: Hudson Yacht Club. 1984.
  21. Hodgson, Roderick L. (2009). Our Spirit Lives On: A Celebration of Hudson Yacht Club's First 100 Years, 1909-2009. Montreal: Hudson Yacht Club.
  22. "Répertoire des entités géopolitiques: Hudson (ville) 7.6.1969 - ..." www.mairesduquebec.com. Institut généalogique Drouin. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  23. "Traverse Oka-Hudson". Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  24. "Oka/hudson Ferry". Archived from the original on 2011-08-19. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  25. "Hudson-Oka ice bridge opens". The Gazette. 2009-01-22. Archived from the original on 2010-02-13. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
  26. "Hudson Community Baptist Church".
  27. "Les écoles et les centres". Commission Scolaire des Trois-Lacs. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  28. "School Board Map Archived 2017-09-21 at the Wayback Machine." Lester B. Pearson School Board. Retrieved on September 28, 2017.
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