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

"

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.

Alice Wilson | Palaeontologist
📍 Cobourg, Ontario
Alice Wilson | Palaeontologist
From Cobourg, Ontario Alice Evelyn Wilson was the first female geologist in Canada and the first woman to become a member of the Royal Society…
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Alison Redford | Politician
📍 Kitimat, British Columbia
Alison Redford | Politician
From Kitimat, British Columbia Alison Redford was the first female premier of Alberta. Born in 1965 in Kitimat, British Columbia Alison Redford is a lawyer,…
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Alistair MacLeod | Writer
📍 North Battleford, Saskatchewan
Alistair MacLeod | Writer
From North Battleford, Saskatchewan Alistair MacLeod was a novelist, short story writer, chronicler of the landscape and people of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and academics.…
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Allan Hawco | ‘Jake Doyle’
📍 Goulds, Newfoundland and Labrador
Allan Hawco | ‘Jake Doyle’
From Goulds, Newfoundland and Labrador Allan Hawco is an actor and producer, best known for his roles in the series Republic of Doyle, ZOS: Zone…
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Allan Roy Dafoe | Obstetrician
📍 Madoc, Ontario
Allan Roy Dafoe | Obstetrician
From Madoc, Ontario Doctor Allan Roy Dafoe OBE was an obstetrician, best known for delivering and caring for the Dionne quintuplets (People of Small Towns),…
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Andrew Ford | Zootopia Animator
📍 Humboldt, Saskatchewan
Andrew Ford | Zootopia Animator
From Humboldt, Saskatchewan Andrew Ford started working for Disney in 2015 when he was hired to do character animation for Zootopia, the Oscar winner for…
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Andrew Malcolm | Furniture Manufacturer
📍 Kincardine, Ontario
Andrew Malcolm | Furniture Manufacturer
From Kincardine & Listowel, Ontario Andrew Malcolm was the founder of Andrew Malcolm Furniture Company. The beautiful, Canadian-made furniture was used in many Canadian Hotels.…
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Andrew McNaughton | Minister of Defence
📍 Moosomin, Saskatchewan
Andrew McNaughton | Minister of Defence
From Moosomin, Saskatchewan General Andrew George Latta McNaughton served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Canadian Army. Born in 1887 in Moosomin,…
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Anne Murray | Singer
📍 Springhill, Nova Scotia
Anne Murray | Singer
Grew up in a Springhill coal mining town and became the first Canadian woman to reach #1 on the US charts — Canada's sweetheart.
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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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Antonine Maillet | Novelist, Playwright
📍 Bouctouche, New Brunswick
Antonine Maillet | Novelist, Playwright
From Bouctouche, New Brunswick Antonine Maillet is the foremost voice in literature from the French-speaking Acadian East Coast of Canada. Born in 1929 in Bouctouche,…
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Arthur Currie | Canadian Corps Commander
📍 Strathroy, Ontario
Arthur Currie | Canadian Corps Commander
From Strathroy, Ontario General Sir Arthur William Currie was one of the finest commanders in Canadian military history. He commanded the Canadian Corps during 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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