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

   Scientist & TV Host

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

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

W. Brett Wilson

   Dragons’ Den Panelist

   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

  Life of Pi Author

   Port Hope, Ontario

235 Profiles and Counting

From small towns across Canada

Celebrities, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes — the people who call small-town Canada home.

George Orton | Canada’s First Olympic Champion
📍 Strathroy, Ontario
George Orton | Canada’s First Olympic Champion
From Strathroy, Ontario George Washington Orton was a middle-distance runner. In 1900, he became Canada’s first Olympic gold medal winner. Born in 1873 in Strathroy,…
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Gilles Ste-Croix | Cirque du Soleil Co-creator
📍 La Sarre, Quebec
Gilles Ste-Croix | Cirque du Soleil Co-creator
From La Sarre, Québec Gilles Ste-Croix is an entrepreneur and the vice president and co-creator of Cirque du Soleil. He started Cirque du Soleil with…
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Agnes Macphail | Politician
📍 Dundalk, Ontario
Agnes Macphail | Politician
From Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario (now Dundalk, Ontario) The face from the new $10 banknote Agnes Campbell Macphail was the first Canadian woman elected…
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Dionne Quintuplets
📍 North Bay, Ontario
Dionne Quintuplets
The world-famous Dionne quintuplets in 1939. From left, Emilie, Annette, Cécile, Marie and Yvonne.   North Bay, Ontario It is great that with approaching Canada’s…
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Léopold L. Foulem | Ceramist
📍 Caraquet, New Brunswick
Léopold L. Foulem | Ceramist
From Caraquet, New Brunswick Léopold L. Foulem is one of the leading conceptual ceramists in the world. His work has been featured in over 40…
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David W. Friesen | Printing Company’s Founder
📍 Altona, Manitoba
David W. Friesen | Printing Company’s Founder
From Altona, Manitoba David W. (D.W.) Friesen is the founder of one of Canada’s largest printing companies, Friesens. Born in 1879 in Schoensee, Manitoba, Died…
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Alexander Knox | Actor
📍 Strathroy, Ontario
Alexander Knox | Actor
From Strathroy, Ontario Alexander Knox was an actor and author of adventure novels set in the Great Lakes area during the 19th century. Born in…
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Jacques Poulin | Novelist
📍 Saint-Gédéon, Quebec
Jacques Poulin | Novelist
From Saint-Gédéon, Quebec Jacques Poulin is a novelist with a quiet and intimate style of writing. He is among the most widely read Québécois novelists of…
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Kaetlyn Osmond | Figure Skater
📍 Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador
Kaetlyn Osmond | Figure Skater
From Marystown, Newfoundland Kaetlyn Osmond, the Canadian figure skater, is the 2017 World silver medalist. Born in 1995 in Marystown, Newfoundland Residence – Sherwood Park,…
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Johnny Bucyk | Hockey Left Winger
📍 Creston, British Columbia
Johnny Bucyk | Hockey Left Winger
Lived in Creston, British Columbia John Paul “Chief” Bucyk was an ice hockey left winger. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.…
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White Bird | Native American Leader
📍 Pincher Creek, Alberta
White Bird | Native American Leader
Died in Pincher Creek, Alberta White Bird was a leader, War Chief and tooat (Shaman) of the Lamátta band of the Nez Percé lived along…
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Pamela Anderson | Model, Actress
📍 Ladysmith, British Columbia
Pamela Anderson | Model, Actress
From Ladysmith, British Columbia Pamela Denise Anderson is an actress and model known for her roles in the TV series Home Improvement, Baywatch and V.I.P.…
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♥ 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 — through a grandparent’s stories, a childhood visit, or a place that just felt like home. We’d love to hear your story.

#TheSmallTownInMe

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