How did World War II affect Montreal’s manufacturing industries?

Following World War II, Montreal experienced a period of significant economic growth, during which its manufacturing industries expanded to meet the rising demands of a growing local, provincial, and national population. This post-war prosperity contributed to the city's broader development, which included major urban projects such as the construction of Place Ville-Marie and the installation of the Metro system.12

While the manufacturing sector thrived in the immediate post-war era, the industry eventually underwent structural changes in the latter half of the 20th century. Factors such as a shift from rail to road transportation, the relocation of many industries to the suburbs, and increased global competition led to a process of deindustrialization. Over time, this resulted in a transition away from traditional labor-intensive manufacturing toward a more diverse economy, including high-tech sectors like aerospace, engineering, and software development.34