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.

Alan Doyle | Great Big Sea Frontman
πŸ“ Petty Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Alan Doyle | Great Big Sea Frontman
From Petty Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador Alan Thomas Doyle is a musician and actor, the lead singer of the iconic folk-rock band Great Big Sea.…
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Andrew Ford | Zootopia Animator
πŸ“ Humboldt, Saskatchewan
Andrew Ford | Zootopia Animator
From Humboldt, Saskatchewan Andrew Ford started working for Disney in 2015 when he was hired to do character animation for Zootopia, the Oscar winner for…
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Gordon Pinsent | Icon Actor
πŸ“ Grand Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador
Gordon Pinsent | Icon Actor
From: Grand Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador Gordon Edward Pinsent is the star of stage, screen, television, and radio. Born in 1930 in Grand Falls, Newfoundland…
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Rosie MacLennan | Trampoline Champion
πŸ“ King, Ontario
Rosie MacLennan | Trampoline Champion
From King, Ontario Rosannagh “Rosie” MacLennan is a World and Olympic Trampoline champion. Born in 1988 in King, Ontario At age 11, Rosie began competing…
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Allan Hawco | β€˜Jake Doyle’
πŸ“ Goulds, Newfoundland and Labrador
Allan Hawco | β€˜Jake Doyle’
From Goulds, Newfoundland and Labrador Allan Hawco is an actor and producer, best known for his roles in the series Republic of Doyle, ZOS: Zone…
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Wallace McCain | McCain Foods Limited Founder
πŸ“ Florenceville, New Brunswick
Wallace McCain | McCain Foods Limited Founder
From Florenceville, New Brunswick G. Wallace F. McCain was a co-founder of the frozen foods empire McCain Foods Limited with his brother Harrison McCain. Born…
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Hayley Wickenheiser | Five-time Olympic medalist
πŸ“ Shaunavon, Saskatchewan
Hayley Wickenheiser | Five-time Olympic medalist
From Shaunavon, Saskatchewan Hayley Wickenheiser is regarded as one of the best female hockey players in the world. Born in 1978 in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan Hayley…
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Leonard Cohen | Iconic Singer
πŸ“ Westmount, Quebec
Leonard Cohen | Iconic Singer
From Westmount, Quebec Leonard Norman Cohen is a legendary singer, poet, songwriter and artist. Born in 1934 in a suburb of Montreal, Westmount, Quebec Died…
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Robert-Ralph Carmichael | Loonie Creator
πŸ“ Echo Bay, Ontario
Robert-Ralph Carmichael | Loonie Creator
From Echo Bay, Ontario Robert-Ralph Carmichael was an artist who designed the image of the common loon on the reverse side of the Canadian one-dollar…
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Paul Triquet | Victoria Cross Recipient
πŸ“ Cabano, Quebec
Paul Triquet | Victoria Cross Recipient
From Cabano, Quebec Brigadier-General Paul Triquet was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour “in the face of the enemy”.…
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Tanya Tagaq | Throat Singer
πŸ“ Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
Tanya Tagaq | Throat Singer
From Cambridge Bay, Nunavut Inuit throat singer and artist Tanya Tagaq won the Polaris Prize for best Canadian album in 2014, for Animism. Born in…
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Sidney Crosby | Hockey Player
πŸ“ Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia
Sidney Crosby | Hockey Player
From Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia Sidney Patrick Crosby is one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history. Born in 1987 in Halifax hospital, Nova…
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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

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