Every small town has a story. We've mapped986of 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

986
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

"

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.

Mike Babcock | Hockey Coach
📍 Manitouwadge, Ontario
Mike Babcock | Hockey Coach
From Manitouwadge, Ontario Michael “Mike” Babcock Jr. is a Stanley Cup and Olympic Gold Medal Winning Hockey Coach. Born in 1963 in Manitouwadge, Ontario Mike…
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Milton Acorn | The People’s Poet
📍 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Milton Acorn | The People’s Poet
Born in Charlottetown, 1923. Passionate, fiery verse about working people and the island he loved.
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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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Myriam Bédard | Olympic Champion
📍 L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec
Myriam Bédard | Olympic Champion
From L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec Myriam Bédard is a biathlete. She represented Canada at two Winter Olympics winning gold medals, and a bronze medal. Born in 1969…
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Myrtle Cook | First Lady of Sports
📍 Elora, Ontario
Myrtle Cook | First Lady of Sports
From Elora, Ontario Myrtle Alice Cook-McGowan, known as the First Lady of Sports in Canada, was an athlete and journalist who competed mainly in the…
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Nathan Phillips | Mayor of Toronto
📍 Brockville, Ontario
Nathan Phillips | Mayor of Toronto
From Brockville, Ontario Nathan Phillips was a popular Mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962. Born in 1892 in Brockville, Ontario Died in 1976 in…
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Nicolas Fontaine | Freestyle Skier
📍 Magog, Quebec
Nicolas Fontaine | Freestyle Skier
From Magog, Quebec By claiming the World Cup Freestyle Aerials title for four consecutive seasons, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000, Nicolas ‘Nico’ Fontaine was the…
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Norman Bethune | Hero of China
📍 Gravenhurst, Ontario
Norman Bethune | Hero of China
From Gravenhurst, Owen Sound, Ontario Dr. Norman Bethune’s statues and photographs of him can be found everywhere in China. More than 250 schools, hospitals and…
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Pamela Anderson | Model, Actress
📍 Ladysmith, British Columbia
Pamela Anderson | Model, Actress
Born in Ladysmith on Canada Day 1967 — she became one of the most recognized Canadians in the world.
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Patsy Gallant | Singer
📍 Campbellton, New Brunswick
Patsy Gallant | Singer
From Campbellton, New Brunswick Patsy Gallant is a pop singer and musical theatre actress. Of Acadian ancestry, she has recorded and performed in both English…
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Paul Triquet | Victoria Cross Recipient
📍 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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Peter Mansbridge | Broadcaster
📍 Churchill, Manitoba
Peter Mansbridge | Broadcaster
Got his start at Churchill Airport — a CBC station manager heard his voice over the PA and offered him a job on the spot.
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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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