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

"

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

"

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

"

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.

Denis Côté | Filmmaker
📍 Grand Falls, New Brunswick
Denis Côté | Filmmaker
From Grand Falls, New Brunswick Denis Côté is an independent filmmaker and producer living in Quebec, of Brayon origin. His experimental films have been shown…
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Chandra Crawford | Olympic Champion
📍 Canmore, Alberta
Chandra Crawford | Olympic Champion
From Canmore, Alberta Chandra Crawford is a cross-country skier. She surprised everyone when she won the gold medal in the free sprint at the Turin…
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Daniel Petrie | Film Director
📍 Glace Bay, Nova Scotia
Daniel Petrie | Film Director
From Glace Bay, Nova Scotia Daniel Petrie was a television and film director. His signature film A Raisin in the Sun (1961), was nominated for…
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Brian Jungen | Artist
📍 Fort St. John, British Columbia
Brian Jungen | Artist
From Fort St. John, British Columbia Brian Jungen is one of the most highly regarded Canadian artists of his generation. Born in 1970 in Fort…
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Bernard Lord | Youngest Premier of New Brunswick
📍 Moncton, New Brunswick
Bernard Lord | Youngest Premier of New Brunswick
From Roberval, Quebec Bernard Lord became New Brunswick’s youngest elected premier at age 33. Born in 1965 in Roberval, Quebec Raised in Moncton, New Brunswick…
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Featured Abraham Groves | Physician, Surgeon
📍 Fergus, Ontario
Abraham Groves | Physician, Surgeon
From Peterborough & Fergus, Ontario Dr. Abraham Groves was well known as a medical innovator and surgeon. He was known for his pioneered work in the…
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Antoine Turmel | Provigo Founder
📍 Thetford Mines, Quebec
Antoine Turmel | Provigo Founder
From Thetford Mines, Quebec Antoine Turmel was a visionary and remarkable entrepreneur throughout his career. Born in 1918 in Thetford Mines, Quebec Died in 2012…
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John Stanton | Running Room Founder
📍 Tofield, Alberta
John Stanton | Running Room Founder
From Tofield, Alberta John Stanton is the best-known expert on recreational running, and through his business, Running Room, he has advocated for improved health and…
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Richard Desjardins | Singer
📍 Rouyn, Quebec
Richard Desjardins | Singer
From Rouyn, Quebec Richard Desjardins is a Québécois folk singer and film director. Born in 1948 in Rouyn, Quebec Richard Desjardins is a self-taught musician…
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Sir Donald Mann | Railway Baron
📍 Acton, Ontario
Sir Donald Mann | Railway Baron
From Acton, Canada West (Ontario) Sir Donald Mann was a self-made Canadian railway baron, builder and entrepreneur. Born in 1853 in Acton, Canada West (Ontario)…
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Mossom Boyd | Lumber King of the Trent
📍 Bobcaygeon, Ontario
Mossom Boyd | Lumber King of the Trent
From Bobcaygeon, Ontario Mossom Boyd was a member of the Anglo-Irish gentry, who, upon moving to Canada, quickly became the lumber king of the Trent.…
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Gilles Carle | Director, Screenwriter
📍 Maniwaki, Quebec
Gilles Carle | Director, Screenwriter
From Maniwaki, Québec Gilles Carle was a key figure in the development of Québec cinema, one of the most prolific and important talents in the…
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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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Any changes to the place info will be reviewed by 1000 Towns of Canada.