In the early 1900s, as immigration to Canada and North America was experiencing a surge, the Port of Quebec became “the gateway to Canada” for those looking to start a new life. In 1907, the year after Empress of Ireland was introduced, over 60,000 immigrants stepped off various steamers at the burgeoning Port of Quebec and took their first steps toward a fresh start, whether that was within the city of Quebec or other provinces beyond.

After a routine medical screening and documentation review, passengers were admitted into the country proper and were free to start their new adventure. The Port did not simply service steamships and their passengers, and of course Canadian Pacific was known as a rail company first and foremost. Immigrants processed through the facilities at Quebec could then step aboard the trains of the Canadian Pacific Railway which rolled up dockside for passenger convenience. From here, passengers would be whisked off to western provinces like Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver.

When you step off the Empress of Ireland in Quebec as part of GRAND VOYAGE, you will be following in the footsteps of hundreds of thousands of immigrants from all walks of life who disembarked at this very port and from there stepped forward into an all new life. As you explore these historic docks, you will learn about the history of the port, Canadian Pacific Railway and the Empress Steamers, and of course, the countless immigrants who landed in Quebec, excited to finally call this new land their home.