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Matane
Town in Quebec, Canada

Matane is a town located on the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec, on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the mouth of the Matane River. It serves as the seat of the La Matanie Regional County Municipality, and includes communities like Petit-Matane and Saint-Luc-de-Matane. Matane offers a ferry service to Baie-Comeau and Godbout, as well as a rail ferry to Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles. Named by Samuel de Champlain in 1603, the name Matane likely derives from the Mi'kmaq word mtctan meaning “beaver pond,” though other origins suggest meanings like “meeting of the waters” or “shipwreck.”

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History

In 1603, Samuel de Champlain visited the area and considered the location as "pleasant enough". In 1616 merchants known as the Rochelais from La Rochelle were the first Europeans to spend the winter. Matane was used as a trading post for the Rochelais who were exchanging European goods for furs with the Mi'kmaq people. In 1672, the land on both sides of the Matane River was granted as a seignory to Mathieu D'Amours, which led to the first settlements shortly after. The Mi'kmaq people lived there until 1845.34

In 1845, the place was first incorporated as the Municipality of Matane, but dissolved two years later. In 1855, it was reestablished as the Parish Municipality of Saint-Jérôme-de-Matane, named after the local parish. In 1893, the main population centre at the mouth of the Matane River separated from the parish municipality and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Saint-Jérôme-de-Matane, which changed status and name to City of Matane in 1937 when city status was granted.56

After World War II, Matane merchants decided to strengthen their economic and maritime bonds with the North side of the Saint Lawrence River. They ran a service of a regular ferry in 1962. In 1978 a train ferry system was in place.7

On September 26, 2001, the neighbouring municipalities of Petit-Matane, Saint-Luc-de-Matane, and Saint-Jérôme-de-Matane were amalgamated into the Town of Matane.8

Geography

The town is divided in 4 districts that match the former municipalities before amalgamation in 2001:

  • District 1 - Matane
  • District 2 - Saint-Jérome-de-Matane
  • District 3 - Petit-Matane
  • District 4 - Saint-Luc-de-Matane

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Matane had a population of 13,987 living in 6,996 of its 7,482 total private dwellings, a change of -2.3% from its 2016 population of 14,311. With a land area of 195.49 km2 (75.48 sq mi), it had a population density of 71.5/km2 (185.3/sq mi) in 2021.9

Canada census – Matane community profile
202120162011
Population13,987 (-2.3% from 2016)14,311 (-1.0% from 2011)14,462 (-1.9% from 2006)
Land area195.49 km2 (75.48 sq mi)196.08 km2 (75.71 sq mi)195.47 km2 (75.47 sq mi)
Population density71.5/km2 (185/sq mi)73/km2 (190/sq mi)74.0/km2 (192/sq mi)
Median age52.4 (M: 50.0, F: 54.4)52.3 (M: 50.5, F: 53.7)49.7 (M: 48.2, F: 50.9)
Private dwellings7,482 (total)  6,996 (occupied)7,421 (total)  7,293 (total) 
Median household income$56,000$48,094$42,906
References: 202110 201611 201112 Historical census populations – Matane
YearPop.±%
1901 1,176—    
1911 2,056+74.8%
1921 3,050+48.3%
1931 4,757+56.0%
1941 4,633−2.6%
1951 6,345+37.0%
1956 8,069+27.2%
YearPop.±%
1961 9,190+13.9%
1966 11,109+20.9%
1971 11,841+6.6%
1976 12,726+7.5%
1981 13,612+7.0%
1986 13,243−2.7%
1991 12,756−3.7%
YearPop.±%
1996 12,364−3.1%
2001 11,635−5.9%
2006 14,742+26.7%
2011 14,462−1.9%
2016 14,311−1.0%
2021 13,987−2.3%
Population counts are not adjusted for boundary changes and amalgamations.Source: Statistics Canada1314

Counting both single and multiple responses, the most commonly identified ethnocultural ancestries were (2021):15

(Percentages may total more than 100% due to rounding and multiple responses).

Mother tongue (2021):16

  • English as first language: 0.5%
  • French as first language: 98.5%
  • English and French as first language: 0.4%
  • Other as first language: 0.5%

Economy

Matane has a diversified economy. The city is known for its shrimp, which are processed there: the northern prawn (known locally as crevettes de Matane) are renowned throughout the world for their high quality. Recent advances in wind power have also helped raise awareness of the region. Matane has the largest wind farm in Quebec in addition to having two windmill manufacturing plants: Marmen and Enercon.

The city also has a Sappi factory in the field of pulp and paper (separated thermochemical pulp). There is also a pork product processing plant: Les Cuisines gaspésiennes, which exports to the United States and China. Matane also has a shipyard and a large concrete pipe factory, Béton Provincial, and a sawmill.

Matane was also home of the first Dollarama which opened in April 1992. The former Larry Rossy chain decided to transform its banner into Dollarama and, with the success of the Matane store, the management decided to change all the Larry Rossy banners into Dolloramas.17

Local government

List of former mayors:18

  • François Dionne (1893–1895)
  • Alexander Fraser (1895–1896)
  • L. J. Levasseur (1896–1897, 1907–1910)
  • Johnny Joncas (1897–1898)
  • Georges L. Pelletier (1898)
  • Louis Durette (1898–1899)
  • Georges Santerre (1899–1900)
  • L. Horace Chouinard (1900–1904, 1905–1906)
  • Gustave A. Côté (1904–1905)
  • Alfred Bouillon (1906–1907, 1911–1913)
  • J. B. E. Bergeron (1910–1911)
  • Pierre Langlois (1913–1914)
  • Octave Dionne (1914–1915)
  • C. E. Bernier (1915–1917, 1923)
  • Joseph Eugène Arthur Bergeron (1917–1921, 1925–1936)
  • J. E. Heppel (1921–1922)
  • J. A. Lavoie (1922–1923)
  • Hector Gagnon (1923–1925)
  • Raoul Fafard (1936–1939, 1941–1948)
  • J. A. Rouleau (1939–1941)
  • J. Charles Gagnon (1948–1951)
  • Léandre Thibault (1951–1954)
  • J. Arthur Desjardins (1954–1960)
  • Félix-Adrien Gauthier (1960–1963)
  • Roger Dion (1963–1985)
  • Maurice Gauthier (1985–1993, 1997–2001)
  • Denise Gentil (1993–1997)
  • Linda Cormier (2001–2009)
  • Claude Canuel (2009–2013)
  • Jérôme Landry (2013–2021)
  • Eddy Métivier (2021–present)

Attractions

Since Matane is the first step to Gaspé's tourist circuit it receives and accommodates many passing tourists. The old lighthouse of Matane was transformed into a tourist information centre with a panoramic view of its surroundings. There are a number of art galleries in Matane that support local talent.19

The Matane River is known as the "River-School" in Quebec because so many people learn to fish there. The river itself is 101 km (63 mi) in length and is the only place in Quebec where you can fish in the town square.20

In 2000, Matane was named East Quebec's industrial capital.21

Notable people

A number of people from Matane and the area are well known locally or internationally, including artist Claude Picher [fr] and NHL player Yves Racine.

Other notable people born in Matane:

See also

  • Media related to Matane at Wikimedia Commons
  • Matane travel guide from Wikivoyage
  • Official website

References

  1. "Train ferry" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20120426051739/http://www.marinfo.gc.ca/en/dossiers/PerspectivesMaritimesF%C3%A9vrier2009-anglais.pdf ↩

  2. "Matane (Ville)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-01-23. http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=39679 ↩

  3. "Matane (Ville)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-01-23. http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=39679 ↩

  4. "Saint-Jérôme-de-Matane (Municipalité de paroisse)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-01-23. http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=56912 ↩

  5. "Matane (Ville)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-01-23. http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=39679 ↩

  6. "Saint-Jérôme-de-Matane (Municipalité de paroisse)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-01-23. http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=56912 ↩

  7. "Matane...Passion et savoir faire". Conception Kaleidos Multimédia. p. Tourism. Retrieved 19 November 2012. http://www.ville.matane.qc.ca/ville-attractive/pour-la-decouvrir/tourisme.html ↩

  8. "Matane (Ville)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-01-23. http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=39679 ↩

  9. "Matane (Code 2408053) Census Profile". 2021 census. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2024-08-28. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&DGUIDlist=2021A00052408053 ↩

  10. "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved 2023-10-19. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&DGUIDlist=2021A00052408053 ↩

  11. "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 2022-10-04. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E ↩

  12. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved 2013-05-18. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E ↩

  13. "1971 Census of Canada - Population Census Subdivisions (Historical)". Catalogue 92-702 Vol I, Part 1 (Bulletin 1.1-2). Statistics Canada: 76, 139. July 1973. ↩

  14. 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 census /wiki/Canada_1996_Census ↩

  15. "Matane (Code 2408053) Census Profile". 2021 census. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2024-08-28. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&DGUIDlist=2021A00052408053 ↩

  16. "Matane (Code 2408053) Census Profile". 2021 census. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2024-08-28. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&DGUIDlist=2021A00052408053 ↩

  17. "About Us". Dollarama. Retrieved 16 May 2025. https://www.dollarama.com/en-CA/corp/about-us ↩

  18. "Répertoire des entités géopolitiques: Matane (ville) 1.4.1893 - ..." www.mairesduquebec.com. Institut généalogique Drouin. Retrieved 29 August 2024. https://www.mairesduquebec.com/mairesduquebec/munic.php?id=2285 ↩

  19. "Matane...Passion et savoir faire". Conception Kaleidos Multimédia. p. Tourism. Retrieved 19 November 2012. http://www.ville.matane.qc.ca/ville-attractive/pour-la-decouvrir/tourisme.html ↩

  20. "Matane...Passion et savoir faire". Conception Kaleidos Multimédia. p. Tourism. Retrieved 19 November 2012. http://www.ville.matane.qc.ca/ville-attractive/pour-la-decouvrir/tourisme.html ↩

  21. "Matane (Ville)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-01-23. http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=39679 ↩