“This new international arrivals complex is the gateway to Canada for all passengers arriving from the U.S. and internationally,†said James Cherry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aeroports de Montreal. “We want to give these passengers -- those visiting our country and those arriving home after a trip abroad -- a welcome worthy of greater Montreal. That's the reason for the impressive architecture of the new Canada Customs hall, featuring an approximate 36-foot-high cathedral ceiling, three skylights fitted with sails, and a 'floating' floor covered in Quebec granite.†The fact that the granite was quarried in Quebec played a key factor in why the material was chosen for the project.
“There was a strong desire in our concept to reflect local identity in our airport's new image,†said Michel Hardy of Consortium PCJA, the design architect for the project. “There is a lot of nice granite in our area. Limestone was largely used in the past for our public buildings [for walls]; granite was used for flooring and also in the older sections of the Montreal Airport for pavement. Stanstead granite was especially used for pavement on the old streets. The material remained available over time. It is a long-term solution which is also good for sustainable development.â€