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.

Margaret Atwood | Iconic Author
📍 Alliston, Ontario
Margaret Atwood | Iconic Author
Resided Alliston, Ontario Margaret Eleanor Atwood is a poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, and environmental activist. Born in 1939 in Ottawa. Lived in Alliston, Ontario…
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Joey Smallwood | First Premier of Newfoundland
📍 Gambo, Newfoundland and Labrador
Joey Smallwood | First Premier of Newfoundland
From Gambo, Newfoundland Joseph Roberts “Joey” Smallwood was the main force that brought the Dominion of Newfoundland into the Canadian confederation in 1949. Born in…
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Justin Bieber | Singer
📍 Stratford, Ontario
Justin Bieber | Singer
From Stratford, Ontario Justin Drew Bieber was discovered by a talent manager through his YouTube video covering songs in 2008. Born in 1994 in London,…
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Calixa Lavallée | O Canada Author
📍 Verchères, Quebec
Calixa Lavallée | O Canada Author
From Verchères, Quebec Calixa Lavallée is best known for composing the music for O Canada. It officially became the national anthem of Canada in 1967. The…
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Donald Hings | Walkie-Talkie Inventor
📍 Trail, British Columbia
Donald Hings | Walkie-Talkie Inventor
Worked in Trail, British Columbia Donald L. Hings, an engineer and inventor, equipped the Canadian and British military with an early version of the portable…
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Ryan Gosling | Actor
📍 Cornwall, Ontario
Ryan Gosling | Actor
From London, Ontario Cornwall, Ontario Burlington, Ontario Ryan Gosling was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for his work in La La Land. Born…
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Emily Stowe | First Female Doctor
📍 Norwich, Ontario
Emily Stowe | First Female Doctor
From Norwich, Ontario Dr. Emily Howard Stowe was the first female doctor to practice in Canada and an activist for women’s rights and suffrage. Born in…
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George-Étienne Cartier | Father of Confederation
📍 Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, Quebec
George-Étienne Cartier | Father of Confederation
From Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, Quebec Sir George-Étienne Cartier, 1st Baronet, was a lawyer, rebel, railway promoter, statesman and one of the Fathers of Confederation. Born in 1814…
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Alice Munro | Nobel Laureate
📍 Wingham, Ontario
Alice Munro | Nobel Laureate
From Wingham, Ontario Clinton, Ontario Alice Ann Munro is a short story writer and Nobel Prize winner. Born in 1931 in Wingham, Ontario Lived in…
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James Naismith | Basketball Inventor
📍 Almonte, Ontario
James Naismith | Basketball Inventor
From Almonte, Ontario James Naismith was a physical educator, physician, chaplain, sports coach and innovator. He invented the game of basketball at age 30 in…
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Donald Sutherland | Actor
📍 Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
Donald Sutherland | Actor
Grew up Bridgewater, Nova Scotia Donald McNichol Sutherland was one of the most respected, prolific and versatile character actors of Canada. Born in 1935 in…
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Ace Bailey | Hockey Player
📍 Bracebridge, Ontario
Ace Bailey | Hockey Player
From Bracebridge, Ontario Irvine Wallace “Ace” Bailey was a professional hockey player. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1926-1933. Born in 1903 in Bracebridge, Ontario. Died…
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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

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 Towns of Canada.