Hazardous materials

Last updated February 28, 2024

What are the risks of toxic substances being released, or hazardous materials being spilled, in Montréal? What steps has Montréal taken to make sure the population is safe in the event of an accident? Find out how this kind of disaster is managed.

Risk of accident

When companies use toxic materials, Montréal works with them to put measures in place ensuring that residents are prepared for toxic leaks and will be notified quickly if they occur. If there is an accident inside a factory, a warning siren will immediately alert citizens to the danger. If this should occur, here are the safety instructions you should follow.

If there is a spill, a leak, a fire or an explosion while hazardous materials are being transported, responders will quickly be deployed to secure the area and tell the public what to do.

Factories and warning sirens

In Montréal, 10 factories have a warning siren for environmental emergencies. If a toxic substance is released, the siren tells the population to take shelter quickly. The sirens are connected to the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal and to the 911 emergency call centre.

Bœuf Mérite, Metro Richelieu

Address: 11701 Boulevard Albert-Hudon, Montréal
Substance: ammonia
Predicted impact range: 335 m
Potentially affected areas: Montréal-Nord, Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles

Dural

Address: 550 Avenue Marshall, Dorval 
Substance: vinyl acetate
Predicted impact range: 649 m
Potentially affected areas: Dorval

Les entreposages frigorifiques Total

Address: 7500 Rue Minicut, Anjou
Substance: ammonia
Predicted impact range: 317 m
Potentially affected areas: Anjou

Entreprise Indorama PTA Montréal

Address: 10200 Rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal-Est
Substance: acetic acid
Predicted impact range: 1523 m
Potentially affected areas: Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montréal-Est

La Brasserie Labatt du Canada

Address: 50 Rue Labatt, Montréal
Substance: ammonia
Predicted impact range: 1800 m
Potentially affected areas: Lachine, LaSalle

Lactalis Canada

Address: 7470 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal
Substance: ammonia
Predicted impact rangge: 1860 m
Potentially affected areas: Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Lachine, LaSalle, Le Sud-Ouest, Côte-Saint-Luc, Montréal-Ouest

Note: Formerly Parmalat Canada Inc.

Pêcheries Atlantiques, Metro Richelieu

Address: 3785 Rue François-Bricault, Montréal
Substance: ammonia
Predicted impact range: 500 m
Potentially affected areas: Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles

Saputo Produits Laitiers Canada (St-Laurent)

Address: 2365 Chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse, Montréal 
Substance: ammonia
Predicted impact range: 1100 m
Potentially affected areas: Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Saint-Laurent, Ville de Mont-Royal

Saputo Produits Laitiers Canada (St-Léonard)

Address: 7750 Rue Pascal-Gagnon, Montréal
Substance: ammonia
Predicted impact range: 770 m
Potentially affected areas: Anjou, Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Saint-Léonard

Suncor – Montreal Sulphur Plant

Adress: 11450 Rue Cherrier, Montréal-Est
Substance: hydrogen sulfide
Predicted impact range: 1300 m
Potentially affected areas: Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles, Montréal-Est

Siren tests

Every year, Montréal works with the 10 factories to organize a siren test. This simulation exercise is designed to help people living near the factories understand how to protect themselves if there is an industrial accident. It is also a way of making sure that all equipment is working properly and that all emergency responders are in a state of readiness. Residents are notified in advance that the test will take place.

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