Every small town has a story. We've mapped 984 of them.

people of small towns

You know their names. You've never been to their towns.

235 notable Canadians. The small towns that shaped them.

235+

profiles

984

Towns

200+

years of history

Alex Chicken Β· Moose Factory Bobby Orr Β· Parry Sound Roberta Bondar Β· Sault Ste. Marie L.M. Montgomery Β· Cavendish Joni Mitchell Β· Fort Macleod David Suzuki Β· Vancouver Wayne Gretzky Β· Brantford Buffy Sainte-Marie Β· Piapot Stompin’ Tom Β· Skinners Pond k.d. lang Β· Consort

What small towns mean to the people who grew up there

In their own words

Written for 1000 Towns of Canada

picture of david suzuki
ESSAY FOR 1000TOWNS

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We lost something, a strong sense of community and connection to place.

David Suzuki

Β  Β Scientist & TV Host

Β  Β Leamington, Ontario
picture of brett wilson
Personal address to 1000towns

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Wonderful place to raise the family in the 1950s β€” fond memories about Battleford and all things prairie.

W. Brett Wilson

Β  Β Dragons’ Den Panelist

Β  Β Battleford, Saskatchewan
Yann Martel
Personal address to 1000towns

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I’ve lived in small places, big places, centric places, eccentric places. I see the blessing and the curse in all of them.

Yann Martell

Β  Life of Pi Author

Β  Β Port Hope, Ontario

235 Profiles and Counting

From small towns across Canada

Celebrities, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes β€” the people who call small-town Canada home.

Alison Redford | Politician
πŸ“ Kitimat, British Columbia
Alison Redford | Politician
From Kitimat, British Columbia Alison Redford was the first female premier of Alberta. Born in 1965 in Kitimat, British Columbia Alison Redford is a lawyer,…
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Mary Percy Jackson | Pioneer Physician
πŸ“ Manning, Alberta
Mary Percy Jackson | Pioneer Physician
Lived in Manning, Alberta Dr. Mary Evangeline Percy, known as Mary Percy Jackson, was a pioneering doctor in the Peace River district, at that time…
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Anne Murray | Singer
πŸ“ Springhill, Nova Scotia
Anne Murray | Singer
From Springhill, Nova Scotia Morna Anne Murray is a singer in pop, country, and adult contemporary music whose albums have sold over 55 million copies…
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Alistair MacLeod | Writer
πŸ“ North Battleford, Saskatchewan
Alistair MacLeod | Writer
From North Battleford, Saskatchewan Alistair MacLeod was a novelist, short story writer, chronicler of the landscape and people of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and academics.…
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George Lyon | Golfer
πŸ“ Richmond, Ontario
George Lyon | Golfer
From Richmond, Ontario George Seymour Lyon is an Olympic gold medallist, an eight-time Canadian Amateur Championship winner, and a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of…
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Heather Moyse | Multi-Sport Champion
πŸ“ Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Heather Moyse | Multi-Sport Champion
From Summerside, Prince Edward Island Heather Moyse is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, representing Canada in international competition as a bobsledder, rugby union player, and…
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Dean Brody | Singer
πŸ“ Smithers, British Columbia
Dean Brody | Singer
Born in Smithers, British Columbia Dean Brody has approached country-music-superstar status. He is now an arena touring act, with thirteen Canadian Country Music Awards and…
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Brent Butt | Comedian
πŸ“ Tisdale, Saskatchewan
Brent Butt | Comedian
From Tisdale, Saskatchewan Brent Butt is one of Canada’s most successful and recognizable comedians. Born in 1966 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan Comedian, actor, screenwriter, producer Brent…
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Billy Barker | Flying Ace
πŸ“ Dauphin, Manitoba
Billy Barker | Flying Ace
From Dauphin, Manitoba William George (Billy) Barker was a First World War fighter ace and Victoria Cross recipient. He is the most highly decorated serviceman…
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Geoff Ward | Hockey Coach
πŸ“ Manitouwadge, Ontario
Geoff Ward | Hockey Coach
From Manitouwadge, Ontario Geoff Ward is an assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils, and a former assistant coach for the Boston Bruins of the…
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Gordon Lightfoot | Singer-Songwriter
πŸ“ Orillia, Ontario
Gordon Lightfoot | Singer-Songwriter
From Orillia, Ontario Gordon Meredith Lightfoot is perhaps the most accomplished and well-known singer/songwriter to ever come out of Canada. Born in 1938 in Orillia,…
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James Gladstone | Senator
πŸ“ Fernie, British Columbia
James Gladstone | Senator
Died in Fernie, British Columbia James Gladstone (or Akay-na-muka, meaning “Many guns”) was the first Status Indian to be appointed to the Canadian Senate. Born…
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β™₯ There’s a small town in all of us

Even if you’ve never lived in a small town, you’ve been shaped by one β€” through a grandparent’s stories, a childhood visit, or a place that just felt like home. We’d love to hear your story.

#TheSmallTownInMe

Municipalities & Tourism Organizations

Your town has people worth celebrating, too

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Who Are You?

Any changes to the place info will be reviewed by 1000 TownsΒ ofΒ Canada.