use. Forestry had become the main economic activity in this region, and from 1867, local business people demanded that the government carry out improvements to the network because the original canal network had become outdated. In 1870 the Canals Commission recommended making the Ottawa River deeper between Lachine and Ottawa. Therefore, between 1873 and 1882, the Grenville and Carillon Canals were enlarged (the dam built upstream from the village of Carillon raised the level of the Ottawa River at Chute-à-Blondeau, making the need for a lock there no longer necessary). Further changes were made from 1959 to 1963 with the construction of the Carillon hydroelectric dam and a modern high lock at Carillon. This work substantially and irreversibly changed the canal network. The dam raised the water level by over at Carillon and over at Grenville. The new water level flooded Greece's Point and its surroundings several feet underwater and inundated the rapids of Long-Sault, transforming them into calm water. Shortly afterwards, the steel swing bridge and canal locks were dismantled. Demographics In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Grenville had a population of living in of its total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of . With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021. Mother tongue (2006): English as first language: 9% French as first language: 88% English and French as first language: 2% Other as first language: 1% Local government List of former mayors: Ronald Tittlit (2003–2015) Luc Grondin (2015–2019) Pierre Thauvette (2019–present) Education The Commission scolaire de la Rivière-du-Nord operates French-language public schools. École Dansereau/Saint-Martin École polyvalente Lavigne in Lachute The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board operates the English-language public schools. Grenville Elementary School Laurentian Regional High School in Lachute Notable people Marcel Desjardins (1941–2003), journalist, news editor and director See also List of village municipalities in Quebec Long-Sault Bridge References External links Incorporated places in Laurentides Villages in Quebec