Its roots are in farmland and mining, but recent housing projects since its creation in 1989 have resulted in a high rate of population growth.

In the 1850s, the area started to develop with the construction of its post office in honour of Cantley and a mass arrival of Irish descendants.

Education started to play a role in the same period when a Roman Catholic chapel and school were built as a result of the increasing number of residents in the area.

Later developments, especially mica and phosphate mines after 1885 and the influx of cottagers and city dwellers to the sprawling suburbia, were to change the demographic characteristics of the area.

[5] In 1925, two hydroelectric dams were constructed along the Gatineau River, making them the biggest economic and industrial project of the town's history.

[6] The Mont Cascades resort opened in 1976 and represents a major part of the town's recreational and touristic assets.

This move proved highly unpopular with Cantley's rural residents who worked to petition the provincial government to recreate an independent municipality.

Several lawsuits were planned by residents against the owner and on July 11, 2006, the town went to court against the dump for a compensation of over $55,000 for the fire and cover costs for the evacuation process and firefighters salary.

[18] The Quebec Ministry of Environment forced the owners to adopt measures to reduce the amount of toxic pollutants and gave them several delays to comply.

[20] On September 21, 2006, the Minister Claude Béchard ordered its closure but as the owners challenged the decision to court, it was re-opened occasionally.

The site is currently not in operation as the case is still under study by a provincial court, but the Tribunal administratif du Québec said in October 2007 that they supported the Minister's decision.

[24] Due to its closure, it created a significant waste problem across the region as only one landfill site remains in operation in Val-des-Monts.