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{{About|a region in Canada|the passenger rail service area|Quebec City–Windsor Corridor (Via Rail)}}
{{more citations|date=November 2018}} {{more citations|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement {{Infobox settlement
<!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available--> <!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available-->
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info ----------------> <!-- Basic info ---------------->
| official_name = Quebec City–Windsor Corridor<br><br>{{native name|fr|Corridor Québec-Windsor}} | official_name = Quebec City–Windsor Corridor<br/>{{native name|fr|Corridor Québec-Windsor}}
| settlement_type = Region | settlement_type = Region
| nickname = | nickname =
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| subdivision_type = ] | subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flagicon|Canada}} ] | subdivision_name = {{flagicon|Canada}} Canada
| subdivision_type1 = ] | subdivision_type1 = ]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon|Ontario}} ],<br />{{flagicon|Quebec}} ] | subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon|Ontario}} ],<br />{{flagicon|Quebec}} ]
| unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired--> | unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
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| area_total_sq_mi = | area_total_sq_mi =
| population_footnotes = | population_footnotes =
| population_total = 18,420,000 | population_total = 18,898,000
| population_as_of = ] | population_as_of = ]
| population_density_km2 = | population_density_km2 = 82.2
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| population_note = | population_note =
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| postal_code_type = Postal code prefixes | postal_code_type = Postal code prefixes
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The '''Quebec City–Windsor Corridor''' (French: Corridor Québec-Windsor) is the most densely populated and heavily industrialized region of ]. As its name suggests, the region extends between ] in the northeast and ] in the southwest, spanning {{convert|1150|km|mi}}. With more than 18 million people, it contains about half of the country's population and three of Canada's five ] according to the ]. In its relative importance to Canada's economic and political infrastructure, it has many similarities to the ] in the ]. The name was first popularized by ], which runs frequent passenger rail service in the region in its service area known as "]". The '''Quebec City–Windsor Corridor''' ({{langx|fr|link=no|Corridor Québec-Windsor}}) is the most densely populated and heavily industrialized region of Canada. As its name suggests, the {{convert|1150|km|mi|abbr=on}}-long region extends from ] in the northeast and ] in the southwest. With more than 18 million people, it contains about half of the country's population and seven of Canada's 12 ], 3 of which are in the top 4 (based on the ]). Its relative importance to Canada's economic and political infrastructure renders it akin to the ] in the United States. The name was first popularized by ], which runs frequent passenger rail service in the region in its service area known as "]".


==Geography== ==Geography==
] portion of the Corridor is situated immediately north of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.]]
] ''Corridor'' Train.]]
The corridor extends from ], ], in the northeast to ], ], in the southwest, running north of the ], ] and ]. For most of its length, the corridor runs through a narrow strip of ] with the ] to the north and the ] or the ] to the south. A drive of only a few minutes north from many of the corridor's cities or towns will show an abrupt change from flat farmland and ] bedrock to the ] hills of the shield. The highways often run right on the boundary of the shield, and it is possible to observe the frequent change from limestone to granite in rockcuts along the way. There are, however, several wider areas of flat farmland, including the southwestern Ontario peninsula between ] and ], the eastern Ontario delta from Ottawa to the junction of the ] and ]s at ], and the ] southeast of Montreal. There is also a minor Great Lakes corridor of stratified limestone called the ]. The corridor extends from ], Quebec, in the northeast to ], Ontario, in the southwest, running north of the ], ] and ]. For most of its length, the corridor runs through a narrow strip of ] with the ] to the north and the ] or the ] to the south. A drive of only a few minutes north from cities or towns along the eastern two-thirds of the corridor will show an abrupt change from flat farmland and ] bedrock to the ] hills of the shield. The highways in this part of the corridor often run right on the boundary of the shield, and it is possible to observe the frequent change from limestone to granite in rockcuts along the way. There are, however, several wider areas of flat farmland, including the southwestern ] between ] and ] (which makes up the western third of the corridor), the eastern Ontario delta from Ottawa to the junction of the ] and ]s at ], and the ] southeast of Montreal. There is also a minor Great Lakes corridor of stratified limestone called the ].


Because of the moderating influence of the Great Lakes and the frequent influx of warm, moist air from the ], the corridor—particularly the western half—has a markedly warmer climate than the rest of ]. The rich soil and the warm climate mean that the flora and fauna in the corridor are similar to those in the ] forests of the ] as far south as ], rather than the ] ] that covers most of central Canada up to the ]. The forest in southwestern Ontario is often referred to as ]. Because of the moderating influence of the Great Lakes and the frequent influx of warm, moist air from the ], the corridor—particularly the western half—has a markedly warmer climate than the rest of Quebec and Ontario. The rich soil and the warm climate mean that the flora and fauna in the corridor are similar to those in the ] forests of the eastern United States as far south as ], rather than the ] ] that covers most of central Canada up to the ]. The forest in ] is often referred to as ].


==Population== ==Population==
]
⚫ According to the ], more than 67% of Ontario's population lives in its portion of the corridor. Similarly, nearly half of Quebec's population lives in or close to Montreal and Quebec City. About half of Canada's total population live between Quebec City and Windsor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/as-sa/index-eng.cfm |title=2006 Census analysis series |publisher=2.statcan.ca |date=2009-10-13 |accessdate=2009-11-20}}</ref>


{{multiple image
⚫ The three major census metropolitan areas (CMAs) in the Corridor are:
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Toronto by Sentinel-2.jpg
| width1 = 220
| caption1 = ] and its surrounding municipalities. The ] is the largest metropolitan area in the Corridor.
| alt1 =
|footer=
| image2 = Montréal Satellite.jpg
| alt2 =
| width2 = 220
| caption2 = ] and its surrounding municipalities. ] is the second largest metropolitan area in the Corridor.
}}
⚫ According to the ], more than 94% of Ontario's population lives in its portion of the corridor. Similarly, more than 65% of Quebec's population lives in or close to Montreal and Quebec City. About half of Canada's total population live between Quebec City and Windsor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/as-sa/index-eng.cfm |title=2006 Census analysis series |publisher=2.statcan.ca |date=2009-10-13 |access-date=2009-11-20}}</ref>

⚫ The three major ] (CMAs) in the Corridor are (populations as of ]):


* ] (6,712,341<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Durham, Regional municipality (RM) , Ontario |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=durham&DGUIDlist=2021A00033518&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - York, Regional municipality (RM) , Ontario |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=york&DGUIDlist=2021A00033519&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Peel, Regional municipality (RM) , Ontario |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=PEEL&DGUIDlist=2021A00033521&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Toronto, City (C) , Ontario |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&GENDERlist=1&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0&DGUIDlist=2021A00053520005&SearchText=toronto |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Halton, Regional municipality (RM) , Ontario |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=halton&DGUIDlist=2021A00033524&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>)
* ] (5,928,040)
* ] (4,098,927) * ] (4,291,732)
* ] (1,323,783) * ] (1,488,307)


The remaining census metropolitan areas along the corridor are: The remaining census metropolitan areas along the corridor are:
{{col-start}} {{div col}}
* ] (800,296) * ] (839,311)
* ] (747,545) * ] (785,184)
* ] (523,894) * ] (575,847)
* ] (494,069) * ] (543,551)
* ]-] (406,074) * ]{{snd}}] (433,604)
* ] (379,848) * ] (422,630)
* ] (329,144) * ] (415,311)
* ] (212,105) * ] (227,398)
* ] (197,059) * ] (212,856)
* ] (161,175) * ] (172,546)
* ] (156,042) * ] (165,588)
* ] (151,984) * ] (161,489)
⚫ * ] (147,681)
* ] (134,203) * ] (144,162)
⚫ * ] (121,721)
* ] (111,184)
⚫ {{col-end}}
* ] (101,610)
⚫ {{div col end}}


Other significant urban areas along the corridor include: ], ], ], ], and ]. Other significant urban areas along the corridor include ], ], ], ], and ].
] freeways are the major road transportation system in ].]]
Cities in neighbouring American regions (such as ] and ]) are not considered part of the corridor but have many significant cultural, economic, and political ties with urban areas on or near the border such as the ] area.


==History== ==History==
{{see also|History of Ontario|History of Quebec}}

===Early history=== ===French rule===
], {{circa|1650}}. The eastern portion of the Corridor formed the centre of the ], whereas its western portions formed a part of the '']'' region of New France.]]
During the ], this area of ] was named ] and was a single administrative unit under the governor-general (with regional deputy governors in some cities). However, only the eastern third of the corridor, from Quebec City to Montreal, was heavily settled. The major cross-country route used by '']s'' in the ] continued west from Montreal through the Canadian Shield along the ] to ] and ], passing far to the north of what would later become the Ontario part of the corridor. The lack of good farmland made that route unsuitable for settlement, however, and the frequent ]s made transportation in boats larger than canoes difficult. During the ], this area of ] was named ] and was a single administrative unit under the governor-general (with regional deputy governors in some cities). However, only the eastern third of the corridor, from Quebec City to Montreal, was heavily settled. The major cross-country route used by '']s'' in the ] continued west from Montreal through the Canadian Shield along the ] to ] and ], passing far to the north of what would later become the Ontario part of the corridor. The lack of good farmland made that route unsuitable for settlement, however, and the frequent ]s made transportation in boats larger than canoes difficult.


During the North American part of the ] between ] and France, the settlements along the corridor were at the centre of the conflicts. ], including the areas that make up the Corridor, were ceded to ] at the end of the conflict; formalized with the signing of the ].
===American Revolutionary War===
⚫ When the English-speaking ]s arrived in Canada after the ], they naturally settled along the narrow strip north of the St. Lawrence River and lower Great Lakes, where good farm land was available and larger boats could be used for transportation, and these people formed the ] nucleus of what would later be Ontario (by contrast, many of the Ontario towns along the old fur-trading and ] route to the north, through the Ottawa Valley and westward, still have significant ]). Initially, Kingston was the principal city of the English half of the corridor, but eventually Toronto outgrew it.


===Colonial Canada=== ===British rule===
⚫ When the English-speaking ]s arrived in the ] as a result of the ], they settled along the narrow strip north of the St. Lawrence River and lower Great Lakes, where good farm land was available and larger boats could be used for transportation. These people formed the ] nucleus of what later became Ontario. By contrast, many of the Ontario towns along the old fur-trading and logging route to the north, through the Ottawa Valley and westward, still have significant ]. Initially, Kingston was the principal city of the English half of the corridor, but eventually Toronto outgrew it. As a result of the influx of migrants, the Province of Quebec was split into two new colonies, ] and ]; with administration over the Corridor split between the two ].
During both the ]n part of the ] between ] and ] and the ] between ] and the United States, settlements along the corridor were at the centre of the conflicts. Ottawa was eventually chosen as Canada's capital by Queen Victoria precisely because it was further inland and thus less vulnerable to attack, though it is now also considered part of the corridor. The ] was constructed to provide a way to bypass the most vulnerable part of the corridor, from Cornwall to Kingston, where it lies directly on the U.S. border.
] in ] (present day ]) in 1841. The canal was built in the 19th-century as a secure transit route for the Corridor in case war broke out with the US.]]
During the ], the settlements along the corridor were at the centre of the conflicts. The ] was constructed to provide a way to bypass the most vulnerable part of the corridor, from Cornwall to Kingston, situated close to the ]. After the ], the two Canadas were united to form the ]. Ottawa was eventually chosen as Canada's capital by ] precisely because it was further inland and thus less vulnerable to attack, though it is now also considered part of the corridor.


===Canada=== ===Confederated Canada===
The construction of the ] during the late 1950s made it possible for some ocean-going vessels to travel the full length of the corridor and beyond to the upper Great Lakes, but resulted in the ] in the ] portion of the corridor. The construction of the ] during the late 1950s made it possible for some ocean-going vessels to travel the full length of the corridor and beyond to the upper Great Lakes, but resulted in the ] in the ] portion of the corridor.


==Transportation== ==Transportation==
⚫ The corridor is held together by a series of major transportation routes – water, road, rail, and air — all running close together and sometimes overlapping each other. These routes are anchored by ], the busiest highway in North America<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705130628/http://alphabet-city.org/issues/fuel/articles/the-post-carbon-highway |date=2010-07-05 }}</ref> from Windsor leading into ] to Montreal and Quebec City.
⚫ ]
⚫ The corridor is held together by a series of major transportation routes – water, road, rail, and air — all running close together and sometimes overlapping each other. These routes are anchored by ], the busiest highway in ]<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705130628/http://alphabet-city.org/issues/fuel/articles/the-post-carbon-highway |date=2010-07-05 }}</ref> from Windsor leading into ] to Montreal and Quebec City.


===Waterways=== ===Airports===
⚫ The major passenger airports along the corridor are ], ], ], ], ], and the military airbase at ].
⚫ The oldest transportation route is the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes, where the series of channels and locks that make up the ] allow ocean-going vessels and ]s to travel the entire length of the corridor.


⚫ Other civilian corridor airports with scheduled airline service include ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. ] is a large facility near Montreal that is mainly used for cargo flights but is also home to ]<ref name="medivac"> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511140157/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=d84a7648-6515-4b48-ae49-357a337229da |date=May 11, 2011 }}</ref> and ]<ref name="flight1"> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930095910/http://lapresseaffaires.cyberpresse.ca/article/20070514/LAINFORMER/705140647 |date=September 30, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="CFS">{{CFS}}</ref> flights.
===Roadways===


⚫ Inside the corridor, the busiest area of travel is the Toronto–Ottawa–Montreal triangle. There are roughly 108 flights within the Toronto–Ottawa–Montreal triangle every work day, making it the busiest air route in Canada and 15th busiest air route in the world. ] serves the three cities with its ''Rapidair'' service, offering hourly flights, and its principal competitor ] offers similar service. Air Canada and ] fly from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Ottawa and Montreal, while ] offers commuter flights connecting many of the smaller airports to Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. In addition to scheduled air service, some of the airports along the corridor also have frequent charter flights like ] and ] to popular tourist destinations.
]

⚫ The Ontario portion of the corridor was originally joined by ] (often known locally by names such as "Montreal Road," "Toronto Road," "Dundas Street," or "Kingston Road") following the routes of older stagecoach roads and the paths and trails that predated them. Highway 2 still forms the main street of many of the corridor's Ontario towns and cities (which were built around it), but large parts of the highway are now maintained by counties or municipalities rather than the province. From 1938 to 1968 the province of Ontario built ], a ] that bypasses most of the town and city centres. Highway 401 is now the main transportation route of the corridor up to the Quebec border, where it becomes Autoroute 20 and continues east through the Quebec part of the corridor to Quebec City.
<br />
<br />
<br />


===Rail=== ===Rail===
{{main|Quebec City–Windsor Corridor (Via Rail)}}
] ''Ocean'' Train route.]]
⚫ ] '']'' train routes]]
Both the ] (CN) and the ] (CP) have extensive freight railway lines along the length of the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor.
] ] service is provided by ] throughout the region, mostly using CN freight lines. Referred to in Via Rail's published timetables as simply the '']'', the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor is the busiest portion of the Via system, accounting for the majority of Canada's intercity passenger trains and ridership. About 67% of Via Rail's total revenue is earned on the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. Both the ] (CN) and the ] (CPKC) have extensive freight railway lines along the length of the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor.
] ] service is provided by ] throughout the region, mostly using CN freight lines. Referred to in Via Rail's published timetables as simply the '']'', the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor is the busiest portion of the Via system, accounting for the majority of Canada's intercity passenger trains and ridership. About 67% of Via Rail's total revenue is earned on the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. Prior to Via's formation in 1978, both CN and CP operated Corridor services.


Other inter-city trains from outside the region originate and terminate at cities in the Corridor, such as Via's '']'', ] and '']''. ] offers two international inter-city passenger railway lines that starts in ] with one that ends in ] and the other in ], serving cities along the Corridor as well as in Upstate New York. Other inter-city trains from outside the region originate and terminate at cities in the Corridor, such as Via's '']'' and '']''. ] offers two international inter-city passenger railway lines that starts in New York City with one that ends in ] and the other in ], serving cities along the Corridor as well as in ].


Prior to Via's formation in 1978, both CN and CP operated Corridor services. There are various proposals for a ] to service the Corridor. There have been various proposals and studies for ].


===Airports=== ===Roadways===
] at the Ontario-Quebec border. The highway continues into Quebec as ].]]
⚫ The major passenger airports along the corridor are ] (ranked 20th globally for international passenger traffic and 18th for aircraft traffic ), ], ], ], ] (ranked second in Canada for cargo traffic) and the military airbase at ]. There are roughly 108 flights between Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto every work day, making it the busiest air route in Canada and 15th busiest air route in the world.
⚫ Most of the cities of the Ontario portion of the corridor were originally joined by ] (often known locally by names such as "Montreal Road," "Toronto Road," or "Kingston Road") following the routes of older stagecoach roads and the paths and trails that predated them. Highway 2 still forms the main street of many of the corridor's Ontario towns and cities (which were built around it), but large parts of the highway are now maintained by counties or municipalities rather than the province. From 1938 to 1968 the province of Ontario built ], a freeway that, aside from running more northerly nearby Kitchener instead of through Hamilton, mostly follows a similar route to Highway 2 but bypasses most of the town and city centres. The 401 is now the main transportation route of the corridor up to the Quebec border, where it becomes Autoroute 20 and continues east through the Quebec part of the corridor to Quebec City. ], which connects to the 401 at both of its ends, largely follows the route of Highway 2 between Woodstock and Toronto including through Hamilton and acts as another important main transportation artery. Highways 416 and 417 link Ottawa to Brockville on the 401 and Montreal on Autoroute 20.


===Waterways===
⚫ Other civilian corridor airports with scheduled airline service include ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. ] is a large facility near Montreal that is mainly used for cargo flights but is also home to ]<ref name="medivac"> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511140157/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=d84a7648-6515-4b48-ae49-357a337229da |date=May 11, 2011 }}</ref> and general aviation<ref name="flight1"> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930095910/http://lapresseaffaires.cyberpresse.ca/article/20070514/LAINFORMER/705140647 |date=September 30, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="CFS">{{CFS}}</ref> flights.
]]]

⚫ The oldest transportation route is the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes, where the series of channels and locks that make up the ] allow ocean-going vessels and ]s to travel the entire length of the corridor.
⚫ Inside the corridor, the busiest area of travel is the Toronto–Ottawa–Montreal triangle. ] serves the three cities with its ''Rapidair'' service, offering hourly flights, and its principal competitor ] offers similar service. Air Canada and ] fly from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Ottawa and Montreal, while ] offers commuter flights connecting many of the smaller airports to Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. In addition to scheduled air service, some of the airports along the corridor also have frequent charter flights like ] and ] to popular tourist destinations.


==See also== ==See also==
{{Wikivoyage|Windsor-Quebec corridor}} {{Wikivoyage|Windsor-Quebec corridor}}
*]
*] *]
*] *]
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{{coord|44.34|N|77.08|W|display=title}} {{coord|44.34|N|77.08|W|display=title}}
{{Greatlakes}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Quebec City-Windsor Corridor}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Quebec City-Windsor Corridor}}
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] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 01:01, 23 October 2024

This article is about a region in Canada. For the passenger rail service area, see Quebec City–Windsor Corridor (Via Rail).
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Region in Canada
Quebec City–Windsor Corridor
Corridor Québec-Windsor (French)
Region
CountryCanada Canada
Province(s)Ontario Ontario,
Quebec Quebec
Area
 • Total230,000 km (90,000 sq mi)
Population
 • Total18,898,000
 • Density82.2/km (213/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
Postal code prefixesG, H, J, K, L, M, N
Area code(s)226, 249, 289, 343, 365, 382, 416, 418, 437, 438, 450, 468, 514, 519, 548, 579, 581, 613, 647, 683, 705, 742, 753, 819, 873, 905

The Quebec City–Windsor Corridor (French: Corridor Québec-Windsor) is the most densely populated and heavily industrialized region of Canada. As its name suggests, the 1,150 km (710 mi)-long region extends from Quebec City in the northeast and Windsor, Ontario in the southwest. With more than 18 million people, it contains about half of the country's population and seven of Canada's 12 largest metropolitan areas, 3 of which are in the top 4 (based on the 2016 census). Its relative importance to Canada's economic and political infrastructure renders it akin to the Northeast megalopolis in the United States. The name was first popularized by Via Rail, which runs frequent passenger rail service in the region in its service area known as "The Corridor".

Geography

The Montreal–Windsor portion of the Corridor. Most of the Ontario portion of the Corridor is situated immediately north of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

The corridor extends from Quebec City, Quebec, in the northeast to Windsor, Ontario, in the southwest, running north of the Saint Lawrence River, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. For most of its length, the corridor runs through a narrow strip of farmland with the Canadian Shield to the north and the Appalachian Mountains or the Great Lakes to the south. A drive of only a few minutes north from cities or towns along the eastern two-thirds of the corridor will show an abrupt change from flat farmland and limestone bedrock to the granite hills of the shield. The highways in this part of the corridor often run right on the boundary of the shield, and it is possible to observe the frequent change from limestone to granite in rockcuts along the way. There are, however, several wider areas of flat farmland, including the southwestern Ontario Peninsula between Lake Huron and Lake Erie (which makes up the western third of the corridor), the eastern Ontario delta from Ottawa to the junction of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers at Montreal, and the Eastern Townships southeast of Montreal. There is also a minor Great Lakes corridor of stratified limestone called the Niagara Escarpment.

Because of the moderating influence of the Great Lakes and the frequent influx of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, the corridor—particularly the western half—has a markedly warmer climate than the rest of Quebec and Ontario. The rich soil and the warm climate mean that the flora and fauna in the corridor are similar to those in the deciduous forests of the eastern United States as far south as Virginia, rather than the evergreen boreal forest that covers most of central Canada up to the Arctic. The forest in southwestern Ontario is often referred to as Carolinian forest.

Population

Canada population density map (2014)
Top left: The Quebec City–Windsor Corridor is the most densely inhabited and heavily industrialized region accounting for nearly 50 percent of the total population
Toronto and its surrounding municipalities. The Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in the Corridor.Montreal and its surrounding municipalities. Greater Montreal is the second largest metropolitan area in the Corridor.

According to the 2006 Canadian Census, more than 94% of Ontario's population lives in its portion of the corridor. Similarly, more than 65% of Quebec's population lives in or close to Montreal and Quebec City. About half of Canada's total population live between Quebec City and Windsor.

The three major census metropolitan areas (CMAs) in the Corridor are (populations as of 2021):

The remaining census metropolitan areas along the corridor are:

Other significant urban areas along the corridor include Chatham-Kent, Sarnia, Granby, Kawartha Lakes, and Cornwall.

History

See also: History of Ontario and History of Quebec

French rule

A map of New France, c. 1650. The eastern portion of the Corridor formed the centre of the colony of Canada, whereas its western portions formed a part of the Pays d'en Haut region of New France.

During the French colonization, this area of New France was named Canada and was a single administrative unit under the governor-general (with regional deputy governors in some cities). However, only the eastern third of the corridor, from Quebec City to Montreal, was heavily settled. The major cross-country route used by voyageurs in the fur trade continued west from Montreal through the Canadian Shield along the Ottawa Valley to Lake Nipissing and Georgian Bay, passing far to the north of what would later become the Ontario part of the corridor. The lack of good farmland made that route unsuitable for settlement, however, and the frequent portages made transportation in boats larger than canoes difficult.

During the North American part of the Seven Years' War between Great Britain and France, the settlements along the corridor were at the centre of the conflicts. New France, including the areas that make up the Corridor, were ceded to Great Britain at the end of the conflict; formalized with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

British rule

When the English-speaking United Empire Loyalists arrived in the Province of Quebec as a result of the American Revolution, they settled along the narrow strip north of the St. Lawrence River and lower Great Lakes, where good farm land was available and larger boats could be used for transportation. These people formed the English-speaking nucleus of what later became Ontario. By contrast, many of the Ontario towns along the old fur-trading and logging route to the north, through the Ottawa Valley and westward, still have significant French-speaking populations. Initially, Kingston was the principal city of the English half of the corridor, but eventually Toronto outgrew it. As a result of the influx of migrants, the Province of Quebec was split into two new colonies, Lower and Upper Canada; with administration over the Corridor split between the two Canadas.

The Rideau Canal in Bytown (present day Ottawa) in 1841. The canal was built in the 19th-century as a secure transit route for the Corridor in case war broke out with the US.

During the War of 1812, the settlements along the corridor were at the centre of the conflicts. The Rideau Canal was constructed to provide a way to bypass the most vulnerable part of the corridor, from Cornwall to Kingston, situated close to the Canada-U.S. border. After the Rebellions of 1837–1838, the two Canadas were united to form the Province of Canada. Ottawa was eventually chosen as Canada's capital by Queen Victoria precisely because it was further inland and thus less vulnerable to attack, though it is now also considered part of the corridor.

Confederated Canada

The construction of the Saint Lawrence Seaway during the late 1950s made it possible for some ocean-going vessels to travel the full length of the corridor and beyond to the upper Great Lakes, but resulted in the destruction of several villages in the Eastern Ontario portion of the corridor.

Transportation

The corridor is held together by a series of major transportation routes – water, road, rail, and air — all running close together and sometimes overlapping each other. These routes are anchored by Ontario Highway 401, the busiest highway in North America from Windsor leading into Quebec Autoroute 20 to Montreal and Quebec City.

Airports

The major passenger airports along the corridor are Toronto Pearson International Airport, Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport, Hamilton/John C. Munro International Airport, and the military airbase at CFB Trenton.

Other civilian corridor airports with scheduled airline service include Windsor Airport, Sarnia (Chris Hadfield) Airport, London International Airport, Region of Waterloo International Airport, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Kingston/Norman Rogers Airport, Lake Simcoe Regional Airport and Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport. Montréal-Mirabel International Airport is a large facility near Montreal that is mainly used for cargo flights but is also home to medical evacuation and general aviation flights.

Inside the corridor, the busiest area of travel is the Toronto–Ottawa–Montreal triangle. There are roughly 108 flights within the Toronto–Ottawa–Montreal triangle every work day, making it the busiest air route in Canada and 15th busiest air route in the world. Air Canada serves the three cities with its Rapidair service, offering hourly flights, and its principal competitor WestJet offers similar service. Air Canada and Porter Airlines fly from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Ottawa and Montreal, while Air Canada Jazz offers commuter flights connecting many of the smaller airports to Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. In addition to scheduled air service, some of the airports along the corridor also have frequent charter flights like Air Transat and Sunwing to popular tourist destinations.

Rail

Main article: Quebec City–Windsor Corridor (Via Rail)
Map for the VIA Rail Corridor train routes

Both the Canadian National Railway (CN) and the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have extensive freight railway lines along the length of the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. Intercity passenger railway service is provided by Via Rail throughout the region, mostly using CN freight lines. Referred to in Via Rail's published timetables as simply the Corridor, the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor is the busiest portion of the Via system, accounting for the majority of Canada's intercity passenger trains and ridership. About 67% of Via Rail's total revenue is earned on the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. Prior to Via's formation in 1978, both CN and CP operated Corridor services.

Other inter-city trains from outside the region originate and terminate at cities in the Corridor, such as Via's Canadian and Ocean. Amtrak offers two international inter-city passenger railway lines that starts in New York City with one that ends in Toronto and the other in Montreal, serving cities along the Corridor as well as in Upstate New York.

There have been various proposals and studies for high-speed railway service between Quebec City and Windsor.

Roadways

The eastern end of Ontario Highway 401 at the Ontario-Quebec border. The highway continues into Quebec as Autoroute 20.

Most of the cities of the Ontario portion of the corridor were originally joined by Highway 2 (often known locally by names such as "Montreal Road," "Toronto Road," or "Kingston Road") following the routes of older stagecoach roads and the paths and trails that predated them. Highway 2 still forms the main street of many of the corridor's Ontario towns and cities (which were built around it), but large parts of the highway are now maintained by counties or municipalities rather than the province. From 1938 to 1968 the province of Ontario built Highway 401, a freeway that, aside from running more northerly nearby Kitchener instead of through Hamilton, mostly follows a similar route to Highway 2 but bypasses most of the town and city centres. The 401 is now the main transportation route of the corridor up to the Quebec border, where it becomes Autoroute 20 and continues east through the Quebec part of the corridor to Quebec City. Highway 403, which connects to the 401 at both of its ends, largely follows the route of Highway 2 between Woodstock and Toronto including through Hamilton and acts as another important main transportation artery. Highways 416 and 417 link Ottawa to Brockville on the 401 and Montreal on Autoroute 20.

Waterways

Diagram of the Montreal-Lake Ontario portion of the Saint Lawrence Seaway

The oldest transportation route is the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes, where the series of channels and locks that make up the St. Lawrence Seaway allow ocean-going vessels and lake freighters to travel the entire length of the corridor.

See also

References

  1. McMurry, Peter H.; Shepherd, Marjorie F.; Vickery, James S. (2004). Particulate Matter Science for Policy Makers: A NARSTO Assessment. Cambridge University Press. p. 391. ISBN 978-0-521-84287-7.
  2. "2006 Census analysis series". 2.statcan.ca. 2009-10-13. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  3. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-02-09). "Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Durham, Regional municipality (RM) [Census division], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  4. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-02-09). "Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - York, Regional municipality (RM) [Census division], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  5. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-02-09). "Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Peel, Regional municipality (RM) [Census division], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  6. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-02-09). "Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Toronto, City (C) [Census subdivision], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  7. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-02-09). "Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Halton, Regional municipality (RM) [Census division], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  8. Alphabet City | Fuel - Features - The Post-Carbon Highway Archived 2010-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
  9. It's liftoff for AirMédic ambulance Archived May 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  10. Mirabel redécolle Archived September 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  11. Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 16 July 2020 to 0901Z 10 September 2020.

44°20′N 77°05′W / 44.34°N 77.08°W / 44.34; -77.08

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