SAINT-JRME

city, Laurentides region, southern Quebec province, Canada, on the Nord (North) River. Settled in 1834, it was originally called Dumontville. Situated 24 miles (39 km) northwest of Montreal city, it experienced rapid growth after the arrival in 1868 of Cur Antoine Labelle, whose leadership as deputy minister of colonization helped make Saint-Jrme an important distribution centre for new colonization districts, the tourist industry, and forest exploitation. Other economically important industries include the manufacture of textiles, shoes, paper, and knitted goods. Linked to Montreal by rail, highway, and the Montreal-Laurentian Autoroute (toll road), Saint-Jrme serves as a gateway to the Laurentian Uplands, one of eastern Canada's most popular resort regions. Inc. village, 1856; town, 1881; city, 1950. Pop. (1991) 23,384.