From Stadacona to the REM · Drawing 30 of 43
Hydro-Québec Grows
1963
In 1963, Hydro-Québec bought several large private electricity companies. It belongs to the Québec government, on behalf of all Quebecers. In its power stations, big machines use the force of water to make electricity.
Look together
How many large round machines can you see behind the railing?
An idea to try
Invite the child to find three things at home that use electricity. Together, draw a simple route from a generating station, along wires, to a house.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
Hydro-Québec was created in 1944. Following the 1962 election debate, its purchase of major private utilities in 1963 expanded its role across Québec. Here, nationalization means buying private companies and bringing them into public ownership. It concerns who owns and organizes the networks, rather than the first arrival of electricity in every home.
Water turns turbines, which drive generators to produce electricity. The round housings represent these large machines inside an imagined station. This visit illustrates their work; it is not a depiction of the purchase or of a named power station.
Sources and illustration notes (3)
An imagined station visit in 1963. A mother, child and guide view two generating units from a separate visitor gallery; no logos. This differs from installing rural power lines in G22.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Québec Cultural Heritage Register - Second nationalization (French)Hydro-Québec in 1944, the 1962 debate and purchases in 1963.
- Hydro-Québec - The Second NationalizationThe consolidation of utilities and Hydro-Québec’s province-wide role.
- Hydro-Québec - Turbine-Generator UnitsMoving water drives turbines, which drive electricity generators.
Page prepared on November 7, 2026. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.
This drawing is from the book Québec’s Great Moments to Colour
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