Chinatown, Montreal
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Montreal's small but busy Chinatown is on La Gauchetière Street and around Saint Urbain Street and Saint Lawrence Boulevard (boul. Saint-Laurent), between René Lévesque Boulevard and Viger Street (Place-d'Armes Montreal metro station).
Originally, many Taishan Chinese settled (all following the Leung Family) in the area because they worked for the railways and it was convenient for these occupations. Over the years, Hong Kongers and ethnic Chinese refugees from Vietnam - many of whom spoke French before arriving in Montreal due to French colonization of Vietnam - also set up shops and restaurants in the area. Chinatown is known as le Quartier chinois in French.
Cantonese seafood and dim sum restaurants and Vietnamese pho eateries are featured in Chinatown. Many Asians frequent the area since the shops offer products directly imported from Mainland China or Vietnam that are difficult to find elsewhere in town.
During lobster season, restaurants there are so crowded that it can be difficult to get a seat without a reservation.
Compared to the Chinatowns of Toronto and Vancouver, where many businesses tend to close at dusk and the streets are empty at night, Montreal's Chinatown remains a vibrant nightspot for locals and tourists.
The part of La Gauchetière that crosses through Chinatown is a pedestrian walkway, making it more inviting for a stroll. On several weekends during the summer, the street becomes a lively outdoor fair.
A new "Chinatown" has arisen on boulevard Taschereau in the suburb of Brossard, where 20% of the population is of Chinese origin. The provincial government of Québec actually enticed Hong Kong Chinese millionaires to settle and invest in the province, particularly in Brossard. The shopping centres were largely funded by Hong Kong Chinese immigrant investors, many of whom have since returned to Hong Kong or have relocated to larger Chinese immigrant centres such as Toronto and Vancouver. Many of the residents of Brossard are especially ethnic Chinese from Vietnam.
Other than its economic importance in the sector, Montreal's Chinatown actively participate in numerous community activities. The offices of many Chinese newspapers, organizations and associations are located in the surrounding buildings. Moreover, the Chinatown houses the biggest Chinese school of Montreal (over 1500 students) as well as the Montreal Chinese Catholic Mission. Over the years, the Canadian government has continually sought to invest in the area by funding the construction of Montreal's Chinese Hospital and the Montreal Chinese Cultural and Community Center.
Montreal's Chinatown has recently seen a major influx of mainland Chinese, mostly exchange students who have opened many commercial businesses well liked by the new generation such as internet cafes and bubble tea stores.
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