Socioeconomic Snapshot
Baie-Comeau’s beginnings are closely tied to its industrial development. Around 1936, the town took shape when a large paper manufacturer set up shop near Baie Comeau, taking advantage of the Côte-Nord region’s forest resources and the waterway for shipping its products.
The Town of Baie-Comeau was incorporated on May 20, 1937. In 1982, the towns of Baie-Comeau and Hauterive merged, creating the Côte-Nord’s largest industrial and commercial center. Today, nearly 23,000 people live in Baie-Comeau.
The town offers an exceptional quality of life, with educational institutions (high schools, vocational training, a junior college [cegep], university services in cooperation with UQAR), health and social services institutions, and cultural and sports activities including theater, shows, concerts, art exhibitions, film festivals, athletic teams for all ages, pools, curling, major junior hockey, and more.
Located in the center of the vast Côte-Nord region bordering the north shore of the St. Lawrence River from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon, Baie-Comeau is the main hub of the Manicouagan regional county municipality (RCM) both in terms of population and economic and commercial activity.
The Manicouagan RCM includes nine municipalities, as well as a separate native community. Baie-Comeau is the region’s administrative and economic center, with 70% of the RCM’s total population and over 80% of its assessed property value.
Baie-Comeau and the region’s economy and industry developed around abundant and diversified forest, mineral, and hydroelectric resources. Maritime activities are central to Baie-Comeau’s economy. Its seaport is critical to export trade.
The area features large expanses of productive and readily available forest, active ore deposits (Cu, Ni, Co), and granite and peat mines. The wood, newsprint, and aluminum sectors support Manicouagan’s major industries. In addition, the town is home to many service businesses tied to these industries, and the entrepreneurial culture grows stronger each year.
Baie-Comeau helps keep the Québec economy running with its abundant hydroelectric resources. Rivière Manicouagan defines the Côte-Nord landscape and draws the eye to its proudest landmark, the Manic-2 and Manic-5 hydroelectric facilities. The area’s development is also linked to the arts as well as culture and tourism, both of which drive the economy. These key sectors reflect the town’s economic success.
Baie-Comeau is a charming and welcoming town. Located in a natural setting on the shores of the St. Lawrence River and surrounded by mountains, green spaces, lakes, and rivers, it is a breath of fresh air.
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Population of the Municipalities of the Manicouagan RCM
(Population reported in 2007)
Baie-Trinité: 569
Godbout: 318
Franquelin: 341
Baie-Comeau: 22,613
Pointe-Lebel: 1,943
Pointe-aux-Outardes: 1,389
Chute-aux-Outardes: 1,882
Ragueneau: 1,529
Area
371,69 km2
Primary Baie-Comeau Employers
Alcoa
Abitibi-Consolidated
Cégep de Baie-Comeau
Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Manicouagan
Commission scolaire de l’Estuaire
Hydro-Québec
Ville de Baie-Comeau
Other Information
Baie-Comeau industrial parks
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