St-Hubert
St-Hubert BBQ Ltd. is a Canadian restaurant chain specializing in rotisserie chicken and barbecue dishes, primarily operating in Quebec with additional locations in Ontario and New Brunswick.[1] Founded on September 25, 1951, by René Léger and his wife Hélène in Montreal at 6355 Saint-Hubert Street, the chain began as a single rotisserie and expanded rapidly due to the popularity of its slowly roasted chicken served with signature barbecue sauce.[2] By 2025, St-Hubert operates 121 restaurants, representing about 90% in Quebec, and employs thousands while maintaining a focus on full-service dining, express counters, and takeout options.[3] In 2016, the company was acquired by Cara Operations (now Recipe Unlimited) for $537 million, integrating it into Canada's largest full-service restaurant group and enabling further investments, including a $50 million expansion plan announced in 2025 for renovations and new openings.[4] St-Hubert's enduring appeal stems from its consistent menu emphasizing fresh, in-house prepared rotisserie chicken, ribs, and sides, fostering strong regional loyalty in Quebec where it ranks among the top casual dining brands.[5]History
Establishment and Early Years (1920s–1940s)
The Saint-Hubert Airport, located in Longueuil, Quebec, originated from a 1926 commitment by Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King at the Imperial Conference in London to develop civil aviation infrastructure across the British Empire, leading to the selection of the site near Montreal for Canada's first federally constructed civil aerodrome.[6] Construction commenced in 1927 under the Department of National Defence, with the airfield hosting its inaugural airmail delivery on November 18, 1927, via a Fairchild FC-2W2 aircraft operated by Canadian Colonial Airways Limited.[7] The facility became fully operational as a civil airport on May 1, 1928, serving as Montreal's primary aviation hub until the development of Dorval Airport in the early 1940s.[8] In the 1930s, Saint-Hubert expanded its role in commercial and experimental aviation, accommodating early scheduled flights and notable events such as the 1930 docking of the British airship R-100, which underscored the site's growing infrastructure for rigid airships and heavier-than-air craft.[9] By March 1, 1939, Trans-Canada Air Lines (predecessor to Air Canada) initiated its first official transcontinental service from Saint-Hubert to Vancouver, marking a milestone in Canadian domestic air travel.[10] That same year, on April 13, 1939, Canada opened its first air traffic control tower at the airport, equipped with basic radio communication and visual signaling to manage increasing air traffic.[6] The onset of World War II in 1939 prompted a shift toward military priorities; by 1940, the Department of National Defence reclaimed full control of the airfield for training purposes, transferring civil operations to temporary facilities elsewhere. From 1941 to 1944, Saint-Hubert hosted No. 13 Service Flying Training School under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, training over 1,800 aircrew members on aircraft such as the Harvard and Yale trainers, with the site featuring expanded hangars and runways hardened for wartime demands.[11] This period solidified the airport's dual civil-military heritage, though civilian access remained limited until postwar demobilization.[12]Mid-20th Century Developments (1950s–1980s)
Following World War II, RCAF Station St. Hubert transitioned back to peacetime operations, serving as a key base for fighter squadrons equipped with early jet aircraft. In 1951, No. 441 Squadron was formed at St. Hubert as a fighter unit initially operating de Havilland Vampires before transitioning to North American F-86 Sabres, contributing to Canada's Cold War air defense posture.[13] Similarly, No. 427 Squadron was reactivated on August 1, 1952, at the station with F-86 Sabre Mk II fighters, later upgrading to Mk V and VI variants for interception duties.[14] These units, alongside auxiliary squadrons like Nos. 401 and 438, underscored St. Hubert's role in hosting both regular and reserve fighter operations during the 1950s, with aircraft such as the Avro CF-100 Canuck employed for all-weather interception and electronic warfare training into the early 1960s.[15] The 1960s marked a shift toward integration and diversification of roles at the station. Upon the unification of Canada's armed forces in 1968, RCAF Station St. Hubert was redesignated Canadian Forces Base (CFB) St. Hubert and incorporated into the broader CFB Montreal structure, reflecting the consolidation of air reserve and support functions.[15] Military aviation emphasized tactical and transport capabilities, with units operating de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otters for utility roles and early helicopter trials, while the base supported electronic warfare detachments using modified CF-100s.[16] Civil operations remained secondary but began expanding as general aviation traffic grew amid Montreal's post-war economic boom. A pivotal civil development occurred in 1970, when nearly all general aviation activities from Montreal's Cartierville Airport—excluding Canadair operations—were relocated to St. Hubert, positioning it as the region's primary hub for private and training flights.[17][18] This transfer, driven by capacity constraints at other fields and federal-provincial coordination, boosted annual movements and supported flying schools and charters through the 1970s and 1980s. Military activities evolved toward reserve helicopter squadrons, including No. 438's use of Otters into 1976 and tactical airlift with DHC-5 Buffalo aircraft, maintaining the base's dual-use infrastructure amid declining fighter roles.[19] By the 1980s, St. Hubert functioned primarily as a reserve and general aviation center, with its runways and facilities accommodating increased non-scheduled traffic while Canadian Forces units focused on support and training missions until further transitions in the 1990s.[20]Modern Era and Transition (1990s–Present)
In 2004, Transport Canada transferred ownership of the airport to Développement de l'aéroport Saint-Hubert de Longueuil (DASH-L), a non-profit corporation, granting the facility greater operational independence and facilitating long-term infrastructure improvements.[17] This shift aligned with broader Canadian aviation policy to devolve federal airports to local entities, allowing Saint-Hubert to prioritize general aviation, flight training, and potential commercial growth while maintaining its role as a reliever to Montréal–Trudeau International Airport.[17] Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the airport primarily served general aviation, corporate flights, and flight schools, with limited infrastructure changes amid stalled commercial expansion efforts due to community concerns over noise.[21] By 2018, DASH-L completed a major upgrade to the primary runway (11/29), extending it to 3,000 meters and reinforcing it to handle heavier jet traffic, including Boeing 737-class aircraft, at a cost exceeding CAD 20 million.[22] The airport underwent a significant rebranding on February 1, 2024, adopting the name Montreal Metropolitan Airport (MET) to emphasize its evolving role as a secondary commercial hub for Greater Montréal, complete with new branding evoking the site's dirigible history.[23][24] This transition includes construction of a new passenger terminal designed to accommodate up to 4 million domestic passengers annually, supported by a CAD 90 million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank announced in February 2024.[25][26] Porter Airlines partnered with MET for the terminal project, planning to launch up to 92 daily domestic flights by late 2025, targeting underserved routes and positioning the airport as a convenient alternative to Trudeau for South Shore residents.[27][28] As of 2025, construction advances rapidly, with the facility retaining its focus on general aviation alongside emerging commercial capabilities, though federal environmental assessments continue to address noise and land-use impacts.[21][25]Facilities and Infrastructure
Runways, Taxiways, and Aprons
The Montréal Saint-Hubert Airport (CYHU) operates three asphalt-surfaced runways configured for diverse general aviation and training activities. The primary runway, 06L/24R, measures 7,801 feet (2,378 meters) in length and 150 feet (46 meters) in width, supporting operations for larger aircraft up to the limits of its pavement classification.[29][30] A parallel runway, 06R/24L, provides 3,922 feet (1,195 meters) by 100 feet (30 meters), primarily for smaller aircraft and accommodating simultaneous operations when traffic permits.[31][32] The crosswind runway 10/28 spans 2,420 feet (738 meters) by 150 feet (46 meters), aiding in wind-dependent takeoffs and landings.[32]| Runway | Length (ft/m) | Width (ft/m) | Surface | Orientation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06L/24R | 7,801 / 2,378 | 150 / 46 | Asphalt | 062° / 242° |
| 06R/24L | 3,922 / 1,195 | 100 / 30 | Asphalt | 062° / 242° |
| 10/28 | 2,420 / 738 | 150 / 46 | Asphalt | 100° / 280° |