Are you looking to specialize in the fields of agriculture or veterinary medicine, or you simply wish to live close to Montreal and enjoy a unique suburban life? Thanks to its properties, very affordable apartments and many other attractions, Saint-Hyacinthe is the perfect place to settle.
The best job prospects
Located just outside Montreal, the city of Saint-Hyacinthe has experienced an incredible economic and commercial growth in recent years. This is probably one of the reasons why it won first place in the list of most creative cities when it comes to job prospects in Canada! Today with nearly 55,000 residents called Maskoutains, it is the 18th most populated city in Quebec. With its many post-secondary institutions, the city plays host to many students every year, while still remaining a place where families feel particularly welcome. Although known for its agricultural lands, the districts of Douville, Saint-Joseph, Sacré-Coeur and Sainte-Rosalie have a more pronounced suburban feel.
An agriculture technopolis
Characterized by its 1,400 farms and 150 specialized agribusiness industries, Saint-Hyacinthe is the agricultural heart of the Montérégie area. It is also the first Canadian city to join the International Association of Science Parks, which earned the city the title of ‘Agricultural Technopolis of Canada’. We can also find the Centre de recherche sur les aliments (CRDA), the Insitut de recherche et de développement en agro-environnment (IRDA), the Institut de technologie agroalimentaire (ITA) and the head office of the Artificial Insemination Center of Quebec (CIAQ), in addition to having the only Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Quebec.
Activities throughout the year
Saint-Hyacinthe is full of various activities and events; it is impossible to get bored! In winter, outdoor lovers will be delighted by the Parc des Salines and its impressive cross-country ski trail and snow slopes arranged for snow tubing for children and adults. And how about skating directly on the Yamaska River? In summer, the Jardin Daniel A. Seguin will delight nature lovers with its huge variety of exotic and local plants. In July, the traditional Agri-food Fair of Saint-Hyacinthe welcomes more than 200,000 visitors and is the largest agricultural family festival in Quebec. Are you a fan of outdoor shows? Every Tuesday during summer, renowned artists offer free outdoor concerts in the Casimir-Dessaulles Park.
But no matter the season, a detour to the City Center is mandatory in order to truly capture the essence of the city. Bordered by the river, this area offers visitors dozens of cozy restaurants, cafes and local shops, as well as a theater. Additionally, the oldest market square in Quebec built in 1876, takes place in the City Center, and every year a great number of traders and market farmers offer the fruits of their harvest. Moreover, the most popular bars in the city, such as Le Zaricot, Le Bilboquet or Le Bouffon, are great, festive places where young and old get together for a chat over a beer.
