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.

Arthur Roy Brown | Fighter Pilot
📍 Carleton Place, Ontario
Arthur Roy Brown | Fighter Pilot
From Carleton Place & Stouffville, Ontario Captain Arthur Roy Brown was a First World War flying ace credited with 11 aerial victories. Born in 1893 in Carleton…
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Avril Lavigne | Singer
📍 Napanee, Ontario
Avril Lavigne | Singer
From Napanee, Ontario Since her sensational debut in 2002, Avril Ramona Lavigne has remained one of the world’s top pop icons. Avril Lavigne. O Canada…
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Beckie Scott | Olympic Champion
📍 Canmore, Alberta
Beckie Scott | Olympic Champion
Olympic gold medallist who made Canmore her home — Canada's first cross-country skiing champion and a fierce advocate for clean sport.
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Bernard Lord | Youngest Premier of New Brunswick
📍 Moncton, New Brunswick
Bernard Lord | Youngest Premier of New Brunswick
From Roberval, Quebec Bernard Lord became New Brunswick’s youngest elected premier at age 33. Born in 1965 in Roberval, Quebec Raised in Moncton, New Brunswick…
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Bill Barilko | Leafs Defenceman
📍 Timmins, Ontario
Bill Barilko | Leafs Defenceman
From Timmins & Cochrane, Ontario The short, remarkable life of Leafs defenceman William “Bashin’ Bill” Barilko ended in tragedy just weeks after he became a…
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Billy Barker | Flying Ace
📍 Dauphin, Manitoba
Billy Barker | Flying Ace
From Dauphin, Manitoba William George (Billy) Barker was a First World War fighter ace and Victoria Cross recipient. He is the most highly decorated serviceman…
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Billy Bishop | Flying Ace
📍 Owen Sound, Ontario
Billy Bishop | Flying Ace
From Owen Sound, Ontario Air Marshal William Avery “Billy” Bishop was the top-scoring Canadian and Imperial ace of World War 1, credited with 72 victories…
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Bob Hooper | Pitcher
📍 Leamington, Ontario
Bob Hooper | Pitcher
From Leamington, Ontario Robert Nelson Hooper was a pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1950 to 1955. Born in 1922 in Leamington, Ontario Died in…
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Bobby Clarke | Hockey Player
📍 Flin Flon, Manitoba
Bobby Clarke | Hockey Player
From Flin Flon MB Robert Earle Clarke is one of the greatest hockey players and captains of all time. He had a famous, captivating smile…
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Bobby Orr | Hockey Defenseman
📍 Parry Sound, Ontario
Bobby Orr | Hockey Defenseman
From Parry Sound, Ontario Robert Gordon “Bobby” Orr is one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Orr used his ice skating speed, scoring,…
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Brent Butt | Comedian
📍 Tisdale, Saskatchewan
Brent Butt | Comedian
From Tisdale, Saskatchewan Brent Butt is one of Canada’s most successful and recognizable comedians. Born in 1966 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan Comedian, actor, screenwriter, producer Brent…
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Brian Jungen | Contemporary Artist
📍 Fort St. John, British Columbia
Brian Jungen | Contemporary Artist
Artist from Fort St. John who turns Nike Air Jordans into Indigenous masks and plastic chairs into whale skeletons.
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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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Any changes to the place info will be reviewed by 1000 Towns of Canada.