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

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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.

David Alward | 32nd Premier of New Brunswick
📍 Nackawic, New Brunswick
David Alward | 32nd Premier of New Brunswick
From Nackawic, New Brunswick David Nathan Alward is a Canada’s Consul General in Boston. He served as the 32nd Premier of New Brunswick, 2010 to…
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David Suzuki | Scientist, TV Host
📍 Leamington, Ontario
David Suzuki | Scientist, TV Host
Grew up in Leamington, Ontario David Takayoshi Suzuki is an award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster. Born in 1936 in Vancouver, British Columbia Grew up in…
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David W. Friesen | Printing Company’s Founder
📍 Altona, Manitoba
David W. Friesen | Printing Company’s Founder
From Altona, Manitoba David W. (D.W.) Friesen is the founder of one of Canada’s largest printing companies, Friesens. Born in 1879 in Schoensee, Manitoba, Died…
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David Yates | School Teacher
📍 Clinton, Ontario
David Yates | School Teacher
From Clinton, Ontario David Yates is the author of Explore Huron TV series. David Yates is a history teacher at Central Huron Secondary School, Clinton…
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Dean Brody | Singer
📍 Smithers, British Columbia
Dean Brody | Singer
Born in Smithers, British Columbia Dean Brody has approached country-music-superstar status. He is now an arena touring act, with thirteen Canadian Country Music Awards and…
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Deborah Ellis | Writer
📍 Cochrane, Ontario
Deborah Ellis | Writer
From Cochrane, Ontario Deborah Ellis is an award-winning, feminist, peace activist and philanthropist. Born in 1960 in Cochrane, Ontario Deborah Ellis began writing at the…
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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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Diana Krall | Jazz Singer
📍 Nanaimo, British Columbia
Diana Krall | Jazz Singer
From: Nanaimo, British Columbia Diana Jean Krall is a jazz pianist and singer, known for her contralto vocals. Born in 1964 in Nanaimo, British Columbia…
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Dionne Quintuplets
📍 North Bay, Ontario
Dionne Quintuplets
The world-famous Dionne quintuplets in 1939. From left, Emilie, Annette, Cécile, Marie and Yvonne.   North Bay, Ontario It is great that with approaching Canada’s…
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Donald H. Oliver | Senator
📍 Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Donald H. Oliver | Senator
From Wolfville, Nova Scotia In 1990, lawyer Donald H. Oliver became Canada’s first African-Canadian senator. Born in 1938 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia Donald H. Oliver…
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Donald Hings | Walkie-Talkie Inventor
📍 Trail, British Columbia
Donald Hings | Walkie-Talkie Inventor
Inventor of the walkie-talkie, built while working in Trail — it changed military communications forever.
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Donald O. Hebb | Father of Neuropsychology
📍 Chester, Nova Scotia
Donald O. Hebb | Father of Neuropsychology
From Chester, Nova Scotia Donald Hebb is often considered the “father of neuropsychology” because of the way he was able to merge the psychological world…
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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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