Mont-Joli, Qué, Town, pop 5886 (2001c), 6267 (1996c), 6265 (1991c), 6672 (1986c), area 9.95 km2, inc 1945, is located 30 km NE of RIMOUSKI at the entrance to the Matapédia Valley. The development of a transportation infrastructure was the most important factor in the area's urbanization, beginning with the construction of the INTERCOLONIAL RY, which reached Mont-Joli in 1874.
Further growth resulted from the establishment of train repair yards. The headquarters of the Canada and Gulf Terminal Ry (linking Mont-Joli and Matane) located in the village in 1910. These developments led to the opening of a foundry that produced railway equipment.
WWII saw the arrival of a military airport, firing range and bombing school; this centre has become the present regional airport. The government of Maurice DUPLESSIS built a sanitarium here. One of the first radio stations in Québec opened here in 1922. Today, Mont-Joli has become a service town, and transportation plays a lesser role.