From yesterday to today

1957 The Québec Natural Gas Corporation, predecessor to Gaz Métro, is founded in 1955. However, it is not until April 25, 1957 that the Corporation’s senior management takes possession of the Hydro-Québec gas network. This becomes the company’s anniversary date.

1958Natural gas arrives in Québec on January 7, at 4 o’clock in the morning. In the beginning, it comes from Tennessee in the U.S. via Ontario. Some months later, in November, TransCanada Pipeline Limited builds a pipeline to distribute natural gas from Alberta.

Québec Natural Gas Corporation converts its manufactured gas system to natural gas, a cleaner and safer source of energy.

From November 21 to 23, the Corporation holds an open door to celebrate the arrival of natural gas and its new facilities. At the same time, it invites the public to see an exhibition of gas appliances. The event is a success and attracts 35,000 people. This period saw the company’s first publicity campaign. Several spokespersons extol the virtues of natural gas, including Janette Bertrand and Maurice Richard, who even becomes the owner of a gas appliance store that carries his name.

The Corporation teaches firefighters and police officers how to intervene in case of a leak or an explosion. This is the start of natural gas training.
Mercaptan is added to the natural gas. Safety is a priority for the company.

1959In the spring, the company extends the natural gas system to the South Shore of Montréal, where development is booming. Soon, natural gas is supplying residential and commercial customers in Saint-Lambert, La Prairie and Candiac. The towns of Contrecoeur, Tracy and Sorel are also supplied that same year.

The Régie de l'électricité et du gaz, forerunner of the Régie de l'énergie, is created.

1965Construction is begun on a new building at 1717 du Havre, on land that belongs to the Corporation, in the shadow of an old gasometer, In March, the relocation goes well, since the Frontenac metro station has just been inaugurated, facilitating access to work.

1967Natural gas is the energy of choice on the site of Expo 67. It is used in the restaurants, snack bars and the Terre des Hommes pavilions. The Corporation supplies 96% of the fuel, 90% of space heating and 82% of water heating.

Northern and Central Gas Company buys more than 65% of the capital stock of Québec Natural Gas Corporation. The company passes into the hands of Ontario shareholders.

1969 The Québec National Gas Corporation changes its name to “Gaz Métropolitain” on October 4, 1969.

The natural gas liquefaction, storage and regasification (LSR) plant is inaugurated on October 7, 1969.

1973A second reservoir is inaugurated at the LSR plant and a new commercial customer is added – Société Radio-Canada – whose building will be heated by natural gas.

1975Head Office relocates downtown to a building at 1155 Dorchester Boulevard West, later renamed René-Lévesque Boulevard.

1978The word “Québec” is much in vogue and Gaz Métropolitain makes it the theme of its 1978 publicity campaign: “An associate of Québec for more than 20 years.” During this campaign, the company adopts orange as its colour to attract attention. From then on, the company makes every effort to be seen on the public scene. 

Québec establishes an energy policy: “To provide for the future.” The policy helps stabilize demand for energy and significantly improves the natural gas supply situation.

1979On November 20, Gaz Métropolitain files a request with the Régie de l'électricité et du gaz du Québec with a view to obtaining exclusive distribution rights for natural gas throughout the province.

The company launches a publicity campaign on the theme “Natural gas: Reliable energy.”

1980The Company is one of the first to earn the francization certificate issued by the Office québécois de la langue française.

1981On March 12, the Québec government becomes a shareholder of Gaz Métropolitain and Gaz Inter-Cité Québec through the Société québécoise d'initiatives pétrolières (SOQUIP) and the Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec.

Gaz Métropolitain extends its territory and besides the Montréal area, now serves the towns of Saint-Jovite, Berthierville and Cowansville.

The other regions of Québec, except Saguenay-Lac St-Jean, are awarded to Gaz Inter-Cité. In May, the company inaugurates three operations centres to serve each of its new regions: Centre, South and North. Each region now has a development plan.

1982 Gaz Métropolitain converts 350 vehicles in its fleet to natural gas.

1984Start of construction work on a new Head Office at 1717 du Havre. While awaiting the completion of the work, Gaz Métropolitain executives are based principally on the 32nd floor at 1155 Dorchester Boulevard.

Gaz Métropolitain declares revenue of more than $730 million and profits in the order of $33 million. Ranked 120th among large Canadian companies in terms of size, Gaz Métropolitain now ranks 90th in terms of returns.

1985 Gaz Métropolitain acquires Gaz Inter-Cité Québec, serving eastern Québec, and Gaz Provincial du Nord, serving the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region.

1988In September, the Québec government establishes a new energy policy, which strengthens the position of Gaz Métropolitain since it favours the densification and expansion of the natural gas system, as well as the development of natural gas technologies.

From 1984 to 1989, a close working relationship is formed between Gaz Métropolitain and École Polytechnique. In 1988, Gaz Métropolitain gives $1.5 million to École Polytechnique to help the development of new, cutting-edge natural gas technologies.

1992Natural Gas Technologies Centre (NGTC) is created in April.

1994The Gaz Métropolitain Limited Partnership acquires 50% of Trans Québec & Maritimes Pipeline Inc.

1995With the support of Canada-Québec government infrastructure programs, the province’s gas networks are expanded by 1,184 kilometres.

2000Gaz Métropolitain obtains certification to ISO 14001 standard.

2003Gaz Métropolitain adopts a new image and a new logo. The company is now called : Gaz Métro.

2006Québec establishes a new energy policy that recognizes the key place of natural gas in the province’s energy portfolio and the importance of diversifying gas supplies for Québec.

Gaz Métro adopts a new Strategic Plan. Under this plan, the company aims to be recognized as a North American distributor of energy services and solutions, investing in targeted projects. In this vein, the company makes an offer to acquire an electricity distributor in Vermont.

Gaz Métro’s excellent record in quality improvement is recognized during the awarding of the Grands Prix québécois de la qualité, organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and the Mouvement québécois de la qualité. The company is awarded the Grand Prix - Catégorie Grande entreprise de services, établissement ou filiale de grande entreprise.

2007Gaz Métro acquires Green Mountain Power.

Gaz Métro celebrates its 50th birthday.

Gaz Métro is acclaimed by the Carbon Disclosure Project for its disclosure efforts in respect to climate change.

2008Construction of 80, ruelle de l'Avenir  – a first in Québec to combat high school drop-out in the Centre-Sud and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve districts.

The Boralex Consortium and Gaz Métro are awarded two wind-power projects with a total installed capacity of 272 MW under Hydro-Québec’s tender call.

Gaz Métro is named champion for a second time for disclosing its actions and achievements in respect to climate change.

2009The wind power projects at the Seigneurie de Beaupré obtain the environmental permits required to proceed.

Gaz Métro publishes its first report on sustainable development.

The Carbon Disclosure Project names Gaz Métro a champion for the third time for its transparency in respect to climate change.

Gaz Métro wins the Citizen of the Year 2009 award from the Prix québécois de l'entreprise for the realization of its seminal community project: 80, ruelle de l'Avenir.

Gaz Métro lauches a new Website dedicated to explain what is natural gas : www.AllAboutNaturalGas.com

2010Gaz Métro Strategic corporate reorganization:

• Creation of a new company: Valener Inc.
• All the publicly held units of Gaz Métro were exchanged, on a one-for-one basis, for common shares of Valener.
• Gaz Métro remains a Limited Partnership, but is now a private LP and is therefore no longer listed on an exchange.
• Former public unitholders of Gaz Métro retain, indirectly through Valener, their economic interest in Gaz Métro (approx 29 %).
• Valener is coted on the Toronto Stock Exchange under « VNR ».

Gaz Métro submits a brief on the sustainable development of shale gas to the Bureau des audiences publiques en environnement (BAPE).

Boralex and Gaz Métro Éole, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gaz Métro, acquire a third wind project of a capacity of 69 MW intended to the Seigneurie de Beaupré wind site.

Gaz Métro obtains the renewal of its exclusive right to distribute natural gas in Québec.

Gaz Métro’s Head Office obtains LEED CI, Silver Certification.

Gaz Métro announced that it is committed to contributing $150,000 over the next five years toward the construction of the new Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre.

2011 New markets emerge for liquefied natural gas.

Gaz Métro and Boralex work on developing the Seigneurie de Beaupré wind farms.

2012 Gaz Métro acquires Central Vermont Public Service Corporation (CVPS).

CVPS merges with Green Mountain Power.

Gaz Métro pursues projects to extend the natural gas network.

Gaz Métro studies the Côte-Nord as a potential market.

2013 Gaz Métro launches “The Blue Effect” ad campaign, which garners several awards for its visual and strategic merits.

Commission on Energy Issues in Québec takes place.

The liquefied natural gas market sees growing momentum.

Seigneurie de Beaupré Wind Farms 2 and 3 are commissioned.

2014Gaz Métro publishes the first sustainable development report in Québec, based on fourth-generation (G4) Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Guidelines.

Gaz Métro’s Rouyn-Noranda business office obtains LEED Canada NC 2009 certification from the Canada Green Building Council.