Trois-Rivières

Quick facts
Province: Québec
Population: 128,000

Business has always been the focus of activity in La Mauricie’s administrative and economic capital, Trois-Rivières. Established in 1634, Canada’s second-oldest city after the City of Québec, it was initially a fur-trading centre. Trois-Rivières has also become an important industrial centre, with the establishment of the first heavy industry in Canada—the St-Maurice Forges. Today, the city boasts no fewer than 500 specialized industries in sectors as varied as pulp & paper technology and production, light metal production and furniture manufacturing.

Key advantages

• Trois-Rivières and its surrounding area have the largest concentration of aviation sector companies in Quebec outside greater Montreal.
• Leader in paper production and associated technologies, owing to the presence of key players such as Kruger.
• Accounts for 7.6 % of Québec’s furniture manufacturing output, and exports totalling close to $1 billion annually.
• Presence of leading research centres:
  • University of Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), where close to 10,000 students are enrolled in 150 programs of study and there are 295 research products each year.
  • Home to Hydro Québec’s Energy Technology Laboratory
  • Integrated foundry and metallurgy centre
  • National electrochemical and environmental technologies centre
• Strategically located halfway between Montréal and Québec City
• Trois-Rivières has its own airport, located close to its industrial parks, downtown area, water and rail routes.
• The cost of living is among the lowest in Canada, owing to factors such as affordable academic fees and accommodation.

Sector Strengths

For More Information

• City of Trois-Rivières (French)