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

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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.

Donald Sutherland | Actor
📍 Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
Donald Sutherland | Actor
Grew up Bridgewater, Nova Scotia Donald McNichol Sutherland was one of the most respected, prolific and versatile character actors of Canada. Born in 1935 in…
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Doug Mohns | Hockey Player
📍 Capreol, Ontario
Doug Mohns | Hockey Player
From Capreol, Ontario Douglas Allen “Diesel” Mohns played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1953–54 until 1974–75. Mohns twice won the most coveted…
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Duane Andrews | Guitarist
📍 Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador
Duane Andrews | Guitarist
From Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador Duane Andrews is a guitarist who combined Newfoundland folk music with the swing jazz of the legendary Django Reinhardt. Born…
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Duncan McEachran | Veterinarian
📍 Ormstown, Québec
Duncan McEachran | Veterinarian
From Ormstown, Québec Duncan McNab McEachran was a veterinarian and academic. Born in 1841 in Campbeltown, Scotland Died in 1924 in Ormstown, Québec Duncan McEachran…
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Dutch Mason | ‘Prime Minister of the Blues’
📍 Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Dutch Mason | ‘Prime Minister of the Blues’
From Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Kentville, Nova Scotia Truro, Nova Scotia Dutch (b Norman) Mason was a blues singer from Nova Scotia. Mason was appointed the…
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Earl Heywood | No. 1 Cowboy Singer
📍 Wingham, Ontario
Earl Heywood | No. 1 Cowboy Singer
From Exeter, Wingham & Brussels, Ontario Earl (Carlyle) Heywood was a country singer-songwriter, guitarist, broadcaster, known as ‘Canada’s No. 1 Cowboy Singer.’ Born in 1917…
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Earl Thomson | Olympic Champion
📍 Birch Hill, Saskatchewan
Earl Thomson | Olympic Champion
From Birch Hill SK Earl John “Tommy” Thomson was an athlete, a specialist in the high hurdles; the first Olympic gold medalist in 110 m…
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Earle Connor | Paralympic Champion
📍 Castlegar, British Columbia
Earle Connor | Paralympic Champion
From Castlegar, British Columbia Earle Connor is a Paralympic sprinter. Connor holds several athletics world records. Born in 1976 in Castlegar, British Columbia Grew up…
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Ed Belfour | Hockey Goalie
📍 Carman, Manitoba
Ed Belfour | Hockey Goalie
From Carman, Manitoba Edward John Belfour is one of the premier goaltenders ever to play in the NHL. His characteristic face mask earned him the…
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Eddie Hayward | Kentucky Derby Winner
📍 Brighton, Ontario
Eddie Hayward | Kentucky Derby Winner
From Brighton, Ontario Edward “Eddie” C. Hayward was a trainer in American Thoroughbred horse racing best known for winning the 1953 Kentucky Derby. His colt…
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Elijah McCoy | Railroad Engineer
📍 Colchester, Ontario
Elijah McCoy | Railroad Engineer
From Colchester, Ontario Elijah J. McCoy was an inventor and engineer whose 57 patents and the invention of the locomotive lubrication cup led to the…
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Elsie Reford | Les Jardins de Métis Founder
📍 Perth, Ontario
Elsie Reford | Les Jardins de Métis Founder
Born in Perth, Ontario Elsie Reford was a pioneer of Canadian horticulture, creating one of the largest private gardens in Canada on her estate, Estevan…
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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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