At the St. Peter's Canal lock each gate consists of four swinging doors which form a diamond shape when closed.

[3] A "haulover road" across the isthmus established by French fur trader Nicholas Denys in 1650 predated the canal.

The canal passes through a 20 m (66 ft) high hill composed of solid granite, accounting for the 15 years for its construction.

[3] There can be a tidal difference of up to 1.4 m (4.5 ft) between Bras d'Or Lake and the Atlantic Ocean, thus a lock was designed to regulate water levels.

[3] The canal eventually became too small for modern ships and has been used primarily by pleasure boats since the end of the Second World War.

The canal continues to serve both pleasure craft and commercial vessels travelling to and from the Bras d’Or Lakes, with about 1,000 lockages recorded for the years 2003 and 2004.

[2][5] Prior to 2013, the canal operated from November 1 to mid-May, weather permitting, on a 24 hours' advance notice requirement.

[8] Parks Canada considered continuing to perform repairs, but a full bridge replacement was deemed to be more cost effective.

[9] In August 2014 Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) issued a Notice of Preferred Procurement (NPP) for the design phase of a new swing bridge for the St. Peters Canal.

[8] The new two-lane bridge opened slightly behind schedule to boat and vehicular traffic in mid-June 2017, with landscaping work to be completed during the summer that year.

[8][9][14] An official re-opening ceremony, with representatives of the Government of Canada, along with community members from St. Peter's and Potlotek First Nation, was held on November 16, 2017.