The regional conference of elected officials (CRÉ) was set up following the adoption of the Department of Regional and Economic development and Research law (Law 34) which came into force March 23, 2004.

In the administrative region of the Montérégie, three regional conferences were created:

• The CRÉ of the Haut-Saint-Laurent Valley
• The CRÉ of Longueuil
• The CRÉ of Montérégie east

They replaced the regional council on development of the Montérégie (CRDM) as a consulting entity.

When it was established, the CRÉ of the Haut-Saint-Laurent Valley was temporarily named Regional conference of elected official of Montérégie west or CRÉ west.