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

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.

Robert William Stewart | Ocean Physicist
πŸ“ Smoky Lake, Alberta
Robert William Stewart | Ocean Physicist
From Smoky Lake, Alberta Scientist Robert William Stewart was known internationally for his original work in turbulence, oceanography and meteorology, and was a recognized authority…
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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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Robertson Davies | Writer
πŸ“ Renfrew, Ontario
Robertson Davies | Writer
From Thamesville, Renfrew, Peterborough & Orangeville, Ontario William Robertson Davies is one of Canada’s most influential essayists and novelists. Davies was the founding Master of…
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Roman Kroitor | IMAX Founder
πŸ“ Yorkton, Saskatchewan
Roman Kroitor | IMAX Founder
From Yorkton, Saskatchewan Roman Kroitor was a filmmaker known as a co-founder of IMAX and as the creator of the Sandde hand-drawn stereoscopic animation system.…
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Ron Joyce | Tim Hortons Co-Founder
πŸ“ Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
Ron Joyce | Tim Hortons Co-Founder
From: Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia Ronald V. Joyce is best known as the entrepreneur who, in 1964, invested in the first Tim Hortons donut shop in…
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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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Rudy Wiebe | Writer
πŸ“ Coaldale, Alberta
Rudy Wiebe | Writer
From Coaldale, Alberta Rudy Henry Wiebe is an author best known for his novels set in the Canadian prairies and his representations of First Nations…
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Rusty Crawford | Hockey Legend
πŸ“ Cardinal, Ontario
Rusty Crawford | Hockey Legend
From Cardinal, Ontario Samuel Russell Crawford was a professional hockey forward and a two-time Stanley Cup champion, winning the trophy with the Bulldogs in 1913…
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Ryan Gosling | Actor
πŸ“ 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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Samuel Andreyev | Composer
πŸ“ Kincardine, Ontario
Samuel Andreyev | Composer
From Kincardine, Ontario Samuel Andreyev (born Samuel Curnoe Andreeff) is a composer, poet, teacher and performer. Born in 1981 in Kincardine, Ontario Andreyev grew up…
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Sandra Schmirler | Curler
πŸ“ Biggar, Saskatchewan
Sandra Schmirler | Curler
From Biggar, Saskatchewan Sandra Marie Schmirler, dubbed “Schmirler the Curler,” led her foursome to the first-ever Olympic gold medal in the sport (1998). Born in…
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Seth | Cartoonist
πŸ“ Clinton, Ontario
Seth | Cartoonist
From Clinton, Ontario Seth is the pen name of Gregory Gallant, one of the foremost cartoonists in North America best known for his series Palookaville…
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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

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 TownsΒ ofΒ Canada.