Every small town has a story. We've mapped984of 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

Bobby Orr Bobby Orr · Parry Sound W. Brett Wilson W. Brett Wilson · Battleford Yann Martell Yann Martell · Port Hope Tom Thomson Tom Thomson · Owen Sound Joni Mitchell Joni Mitchell · Fort Macleod David Suzuki David Suzuki · Leamington Wayne Gretzky Wayne Gretzky · Brantford Alexander Graham Bell Alexander Graham Bell · Brantford Stompin Tom Stompin’ Tom · Skinners Pond Farley Mowat Farley Mowat · Port Hope

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

"

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.

Jason Arnott | NHL All-Rookie Team
📍 Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Jason Arnott | NHL All-Rookie Team
From Wasaga Beach & Collingwood, Ontario Jason William Arnott is a veteran of 18 NHL seasons, a Stanley Cup champion, a 12-time 20-goal scorer –…
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Jean Claude Roy | Artist
📍 St. Philip’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Jean Claude Roy | Artist
From St. Philip’s, Newfoundland Jean Claude Roy is an “expressionist-colourist”; he is passionately drawn to the landscape, both physical and human. Born in 1948 in…
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Jeff Hammond | Cinematographer
📍 Leamington, Ontario
Jeff Hammond | Cinematographer
From Leamington, Ontario Jeffrey Robert Hammond is an award-winning film director, writer, producer. He has also spent many hours in front of the camera as…
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Jessica Stam | Model
📍 Kincardine, Ontario
Jessica Stam | Model
From Walkerton & Kincardine, Ontario Jessica Elizabeth Stam is considered to be part of the crop of models described as “doll faces”. In 2007 Forbes named…
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Jim Balsillie | RIM CEO
📍 Seaforth, Ontario
Jim Balsillie | RIM CEO
From Seaforth, Ontario James Laurence “Jim” Balsillie is a businessman, philanthropist and former co-CEO of the Research In Motion (RIM, ‘BlackBerry’). Born in 1961 in…
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Jim Carrey | Comedian
📍 Georgina, Ontario
Jim Carrey | Comedian
From Newmarket, Aldershot, Georgina, Ontario James Eugene “Jim” Carrey is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, impressionist, screenwriter, and producer. He is known for his highly energetic…
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Jim Treliving | The ‘Dragon’
📍 Virden, Manitoba
Jim Treliving | The ‘Dragon’
From Virden, Manitoba Walter Jim Treliving is the Chairman and Owner of one of Boston Pizza, a successful entrepreneur and investor for over 40 years.…
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Jody Raffoul | Rock Singer
📍 Leamington, Ontario
Jody Raffoul | Rock Singer
From Leamington, Ontario Jody Raffoul is a rock singer and songwriter. Born in Leamington, Ontario Jody Raffoul is from a small town in Southern Ontario.…
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Joe Clark | Youngest Prime Minister
📍 High River, Alberta
Joe Clark | Youngest Prime Minister
From High River, Alberta Charles Joseph “Joe” Clark is a statesman, businessman, writer, and politician who served as the 16th Prime Minister of Canada (1979-1980).…
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Joe O’Brien | Harness Horseman
📍 Alberton, Prince Edward Island
Joe O’Brien | Harness Horseman
From Alberton, Prince Edward Island Joseph Cyril “Joe” O’Brien was perhaps the greatest driver and trainer of harness horses the world has ever seen. Born…
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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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John Dunsworth | Actor
📍 Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
John Dunsworth | Actor
From Bridgewater, Nova Scotia John Francis Dunsworth was one of Halifax’s most venerable and revered actors, best known for playing the rope of a frequently…
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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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