History

From Yesterday to Today

1955

  • Exactly 118 years after lamps using manufactured gas lit up the streets of Montreal, the company that would become known as Gaz Métro was created. At that time it was called the Québec Natural Gas Corporation.

1957

  • Québec Natural Gas Corporation acquires the manufactured gas system to converted it to natural gas, a cleaner and safer source of energy.

1958

  • Natural gas arrives in Québec on January 7, at 4 o’clock in the morning. In the beginning, it comes from Tennessee in the U.S. via Ontario. Some months later, in November, TransCanada Pipeline Limited builds a pipeline to distribute natural gas from Alberta.
  • Québec Natural Gas Corporation converts its manufactured gas system to natural gas, a cleaner and safer source of energy. 
  • From November 21 to 23, the Corporation holds an open door to celebrate the arrival of natural gas and its new facilities. At the same time, it invites the public to see an exhibition of gas appliances. The event is a success and attracts 35,000 people. This period saw the company’s first publicity campaign. Several spokespersons extol the virtues of natural gas, including Janette Bertrand and Maurice Richard, who even becomes the owner of a gas appliance store that carries his name. 
  • The Corporation teaches firefighters and police officers how to intervene in case of a leak or an explosion. This is the start of natural gas training.
    Mercaptan is added to the natural gas. Safety is a priority for the company.

1959

  • In the spring, the company extends the natural gas system to the South Shore of Montréal, where development is booming. Soon, natural gas is supplying residential and commercial customers in Saint-Lambert, La Prairie and Candiac. The towns of Contrecoeur, Tracy and Sorel are also supplied that same year.
  • The Régie de l'électricité et du gaz, forerunner of the Régie de l'énergie, is created.

1965

  • Construction is begun on a new building at 1717 du Havre, on land that belongs to the Corporation, in the shadow of an old gasometer, In March, the relocation goes well, since the Frontenac metro station has just been inaugurated, facilitating access to work.

1967

  • Natural gas is the energy of choice on the site of Expo 67. It is used in the restaurants, snack bars and the Terre des Hommes pavilions. The Corporation supplies 96% of the fuel, 90% of space heating and 82% of water heating.
  • Northern and Central Gas Company buys more than 65% of the capital stock of Québec Natural Gas Corporation. The company passes into the hands of Ontario shareholders.

1969

  • Québec Natural Gas Corporation changes its name to "Gaz Métropolitain" on October 4.
  • The liquefaction, storage and re-gasification (LSR) natural gas plant is inaugurated on October 7.

1973

  • A second reservoir is inaugurated at the LSR plant and a new commercial customer is added – Société Radio-Canada – whose building will be heated by natural gas.

1975

  • Head Office relocates downtown to a building at 1155 Dorchester Boulevard West, later renamed René-Lévesque Boulevard.

1978

  • The word “Québec” is much in vogue and Gaz Métropolitain makes it the theme of its 1978 publicity campaign: “An associate of Québec for more than 20 years.” During this campaign, the company adopts orange as its colour to attract attention. From then on, the company makes every effort to be seen on the public scene.  
  • Québec establishes an energy policy: “To provide for the future.” The policy helps stabilize demand for energy and significantly improves the natural gas supply situation. 

1979

  • On November 20, Gaz Métropolitain files a request with the Régie de l'électricité et du gaz du Québec with a view to obtaining exclusive distribution rights for natural gas throughout the province.
  • The company launches a publicity campaign on the theme “Natural gas: Reliable energy.”

1980

  • La Régie de l'électricité et du gaz grants a franchise to Gaz Inter-Cité Québec for Eastern Quebec.
  • Gaz Métropolitain is one of the first companies to be awarded a francization certificate from the Office de la langue française.

1981

  • On March 12, the Québec government becomes a shareholder of Gaz Métropolitain and Gaz Inter-Cité Québec through the Société québécoise d'initiatives pétrolières (SOQUIP) and the Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec.
  • Gaz Métropolitain extends its territory and besides the Montréal area, now serves the towns of Saint-Jovite, Berthierville and Cowansville.
  • The other regions of Québec, except Saguenay-Lac St-Jean, are awarded to Gaz Inter-Cité. In May, the company inaugurates three operations centres to serve each of its new regions: Centre, South and North. Each region now has a development plan.  

1984

  • Start of construction work on a new Head Office at 1717 du Havre. While awaiting the completion of the work, Gaz Métropolitain executives are based principally on the 32nd floor at 1155 Dorchester Boulevard.
  • Gaz Métropolitain declares revenue of more than $730 million and profits in the order of $33 million. Ranked 120th among large Canadian companies in terms of size, Gaz Métropolitain now ranks 90th in terms of returns.

1985

  • Gaz Métropolitain acquires Gaz Inter-Cité Québec, which had the franchise for Eastern Quebec, and Gaz Provincial du Nord, which served the Abitibi-Témiscamingue area.

1986

  • Gaz Métropolitain becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Noverco, a new company. The Caisse de dépôt and SOQUIP are the major shareholders.
  • The research and development begun through agreements with Québec universities and outside companies enables Gaz Métropolitain to create the Datech Group, which offers technological assistance and development.

1988

  • In September, the Québec government establishes a new energy policy, which strengthens the position of Gaz Métropolitain since it favours the densification and expansion of the natural gas system, as well as the development of natural gas technologies.
  • From 1984 to 1989, a close working relationship is formed between Gaz Métropolitain and École Polytechnique. In 1988, Gaz Métropolitain gives $1.5 million to École Polytechnique to help the development of new, cutting-edge natural gas technologies.

1991

  • Gaz Métropolitain Limited Partnership is created on August 12.

1992

1993

  • Gaz Métropolitain Limited Partnership becomes a public company.

1994

  • Gaz Métropolitain Limited Partnership acquires 50% of TransQuébec & Maritimes Pipeline Inc (TQM).
  • Gaz de France, now GDF-Suez, acquires an interest in Noverco, which indirectly holds 80% of Gaz Métropolitain Limited Partnership.

1995

  • The federal and Québec government infrastructure programs facilitate extending the Québec natural gas grid to 1,184 kilometres.

1997

  • Major change in shareholders, with Hydro-Québec and IPL Energy acquiring interests in Noverco.

1998

  • The entry into service of the TQM pipeline extension to PNGTS increases natural gas supply for the Montreal, Montérégie and Eastern Township regions. Canadian natural gas can now be exported to the Northeastern US.

2000

  • Gaz Métropolitain obtains certification to ISO 14001 standard.

2003

  • Gaz Métropolitain adopts a new image and a new logo. The company is now called: Gaz Métro.

2004

  • Hydro-Québec sells its shares of Noverco to the Caisse de Dépôt. Trencap S.E.C. becomes the main shareholder of Noverco.

2006

  • Québec establishes a new energy policy that recognizes the key place of natural gas in the province’s energy portfolio and the importance of diversifying gas supplies for Québec.
  • Gaz Métro adopts a new Strategic Plan. Under this plan, the company aims to be recognized as a North American distributor of energy services and solutions, investing in targeted projects. In this vein, the company makes an offer to acquire an electricity distributor in Vermont.
  • Gaz Métro’s excellent record in quality improvement is recognized during the awarding of the Grands Prix québécois de la qualité, organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and the Mouvement québécois de la qualité. The company is awarded the Grand Prix - Catégorie Grande entreprise de services, établissement ou filiale de grande entreprise.

2007

  • Gaz Métro acquires Green Mountain Power.
  • Gaz Métro celebrates its 50th birthday.
  • Gaz Métro is acclaimed by the Carbon Disclosure Project for its disclosure efforts in respect to climate change.

2008

  • Construction of 80, ruelle de l'Avenir  – a first in Québec to combat high school drop-out in the Centre-Sud and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve districts.
  • The Boralex Consortium and Gaz Métro are awarded two wind-power projects with a total installed capacity of 272 MW under Hydro-Québec’s tender call.
  • Gaz Métro is named champion for a second time for disclosing its actions and achievements in respect to climate change.

2009

  • The wind power projects at the Seigneurie de Beaupré obtain the environmental permits required to proceed.
  • Gaz Métro publishes its first report on sustainable development.
  • The Carbon Disclosure Project names Gaz Métro a champion for the third time for its transparency in respect to climate change. 
  • Gaz Métro wins the Citizen of the Year 2009 award from the Prix québécois de l'entreprise for the realization of its seminal community project: 80, ruelle de l'Avenir.