News
Brossard – Economic Study and Vision for Tomorrow
Jean Giguère
Author :
WikiResidence
Source :
20/11/25
Brossard Mayor Doreen Assaad has just approved the construction of a first 30-storey tower near the Panama station of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM).
Others will soon follow: over 2,000 housing units are planned for the sector in the coming years.
In a presentation unveiled this week, following the first municipal council meeting since the November 2 elections, the City outlined the "Panama Project."
This major housing development has been the subject of discussions for four years, with a large public consultation already organized.
The Mayor wants her municipality's "new downtown" to be built around the Panama station.
She projects 1,805 housing units there within a few years, including 325 in a first 30 storey tower whose construction will begin next year.
Spanning 1,050 square meters, the tower will allocate significant space to offices and co-working areas, as well as local businesses on the building's ground floor.
In the longer term, there are plans to construct six more similar towers, which would bring the total budget to over $1.2 billion.
The projected area, at the intersection of Highway 10 and Taschereau Boulevard, includes the REM Panama station, as well as the Mail Champlain shopping centre, a closed Provigo supermarket, and numerous parking lots.
The City of Brossard is in the midst of an unprecedented urban transformation, with details pointing to explosive economic and demographic growth.
I. Economic Information: The Shockwave of Megaprojects Brossard's new urban plan is part of a strategy to become a structuring development hub for Greater Montreal, generating considerable economic benefits:
• Colossal Investments and Housing Capacity:
o The city has adopted a new development vision that could allow for the addition of up to 12,000 housing units in the future downtown and up to 25,000 units across the entire territory to address the housing crisis in the region.
o As a concrete example of the scale of private investment, a residential project like Plan A near Dix30 alone represents an investment of approximately $400 million for the construction of potentially 900 units (rental and residential condos).
o The municipality itself is investing heavily in its infrastructure, as illustrated by the development of the Grand Parc Urbain, where over $20 million has been injected to create sustainable green spaces.
• Municipal Financial Health:
o The City of Brossard exhibits sound financial management.
In 2024, it presented a significant surplus (e.g., $14.08 million), contributing to a low total net long-term debt ratio, at $1.20 per $100 of assessment (compared to a provincial average of $1.78). This ensures the sustainability of investments and limits the impact on taxpayers, despite the magnitude of the work.
• Real Estate Market Dynamics:
o The real estate market is extremely tight and favourable to sellers.
In the 3rd quarter of 2025, the median price for single-family homes was around $718,000, while the price for condominiums reached $422,500.
o Demand is strong, with average single-family home sales times around 31 days, reflecting the urgency of adding new units to the market.
II. Relevant Information on Brossard's Population Brossard's population is undergoing significant change, and the new projects must reflect this unique profile in Quebec:
• Demographics and Growth: In 2021, the enumerated population was 91,525 inhabitants, recording a growth of 6.8% between 2016 and 2021, a rate higher than the provincial average (4.1%).
The growth projected by the new developments is even stronger.
• Diversity and Multilingualism: Brossard is one of Quebec's most multicultural cities.
No less than 42% of the population are immigrants, and 32% of residents primarily speak a third language (other than French or English) at home.
This diversity is a major economic asset, resulting in a multilingual and highly skilled labour pool.
• High Socioeconomic Status: The level of education is high, with 41% of residents holding a university degree or higher.
The average household income was around $104,900 in 2021, positioning Brossard among the most affluent cities on the South Shore.
III. Impact of the New Project on the Brossard Population
The development planned around the REM aims to create "dynamic, green, and inclusive living environments" and will have several major impacts:
• Response to Demographic Pressure and Housing: The planned addition of 25,000 units aims to stabilize the housing market by increasing the supply of rental and condominium units, which is crucial for maintaining economic vitality and attracting qualified new residents.
• Improvement of Sustainable Mobility: The core of these projects is the connection to the REM, reducing car dependency.
The urban vision also includes the revitalization of Taschereau Boulevard to create an "active loop" and promote active transportation (pedestrians, cyclists).
• Qualitative and Sustainable Densification: New developments (such as Brossard-sur-le-Parc) are subject to high environmental requirements, including Novoclimat certification, reduced water consumption, and transportation electrification (wiring required for electric vehicle charging stations).
• Transformation of Urban Identity: Brossard is in the process of acquiring a true downtown area, stimulating innovation, culture, and commerce.
This change aims to offer residents new gathering and socializing places, promoting the flourishing of its highly diverse community.
In short, this new development cycle is not just a real estate boom; it is a strategic gamble by the City of Brossard to consolidate its position as a major economic and multicultural hub of Greater Montreal by 2040.
The Core of the New Project: Brossard's Vision for Tomorrow The announced project is first and foremost a revised urban plan that authorizes and frames massive densification for the coming decades, centred on the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) and Taschereau Boulevard. Scope and Objectives
This development plan aims to transform Brossard into a true urban and economic hub.
• Increased Housing Capacity: The plan allows for the accommodation of up to 25,000 new housing units across the entire city territory, with a particular focus on the future downtown.
This capacity directly responds to high demand and demographic growth (7% between 2016 and 2021).
• Creation of a Downtown: The vision plans for the construction of a new downtown area, designed to be a place for gathering, socializing, and a catalyst for innovation, culture, and economic development, with a target date around 2040.
• Revitalization of Taschereau Boulevard: This historic artery will be redeveloped to promote sustainable mobility and well-being.
The integration of all modes of transport is central, to correct urban "scars" and ensure better connectivity between neighbourhoods.
Related Emblematic Projects
Two major projects perfectly illustrate the application of this new vision:
• Solar Uniquartier: Developed by Devimco, this complex is the most emblematic of the new Brossard. It is directly integrated with the REM Du Quartier station and combines residential, offices, shops, and hotels, creating a complete and vertical urban living environment.
• Plan A / Iberville Developments Project: Located near DIX30, this project illustrates large-scale private investment, with a potential of 900 units and a $400 million investment.
It is representative of developments that leverage proximity to services and transportation
IV. Deeper Socioeconomic Impact Effects on the Economy and Employment
This densification project is an economic driver:
• Skilled Employment Hub: The construction and development of new commercial districts attract head offices and businesses, increasing local job opportunities for the Brossard population, which is already highly educated (41% with a university degree or higher).
• Commercial Tourism: The city seeks to capitalize on the commercial tourism generated by hubs like Quartier DIX30 and Mail Champlain, strengthening the city's attractiveness to visitors and boosting local merchants' revenues.
• Fiscal Revenues: The increase in property value and the construction of thousands of new housing units and commercial spaces guarantee a sustained increase in fiscal revenues for the municipality, allowing it to maintain quality services while having one of the lowest debt ratios in the province.
V Other Consequences
The impact on citizens is direct, affecting housing and quality of life:
• Pressure on Affordability: The increase in supply aims to temper the explosion of real estate prices.
The city is actively exploring the integration of social and affordable housing, such as the targeted project for seniors (Unitaînés), to ensure that access to housing remains possible for all generations.
• Improvement of Services: Budget surpluses and planning (such as the Three Year Capital Expenditure Program) translate into investments in public infrastructure, such as the new $27.2 million Multi-Generational Centre, offering new leisure and meeting spaces for the community.
• Quality of Life and Sustainability: New sustainable development requirements (Novoclimat standards, stormwater management, reduction of heat islands) ensure that growth occurs while preserving the quality of life and the environment for Brossard residents.
The "Panama project" is therefore the roadmap for a city that is reinventing itself, transforming from a suburb into a true metropolis on the South Shore, focused on connectivity, diversity, and economic performance. Brossard –
