Shawinigan, Quebec

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Coordinates: 46°33′N, 72°44′W Shawinigan redirects here. For other uses, see Shawinigan (disambiguation).

Shawinigan, Quebec
Ville de Shawinigan
Downtown Shawinigan
Flag
Nickname: The City of Electricity
Motto: Age Quod Agis (Do what you are doing)
Location of Shawinigan, Quebec
Country	Canada
Province	Quebec
Region	Mauricie
Founded	1901
Incorporated (town)	1902
Incorporated (city)	1958
Government
- Mayor	Lise Landry
Area
- Land	733.27 km² (283.1 sq mi)
- Urban	109.94 km² (42.4 sq mi)
- Metro	962.69 km² (371.7 sq mi)
Population (2006)[1]
- City	51,904
- Density	70.8/km² (183.4/sq mi)
- Urban	49,236
- Urban Density	447.8/km² (1,159.8/sq mi)
- Metro	56,434
- Metro Density	58.6/km² (151.8/sq mi)
- Language	French (98%)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Area code(s)	819
Website: Shawinigan official site

Shawinigan is a city located on the Saint-Maurice River in the Mauricie area in Quebec, Canada. It has a population of approximately 51,904 people (2006).

Shawinigan is also a territory equivalent to a regional county municipality (TE) and census division (CD) of Quebec, coextensive with the city of Shawinigan. Its geographical code is 23.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Boomtown 1.2 Great Depression 1.3 World War II 1.4 Union battleground 1.5 Decline 1.6 Emerging hospitality industry 1.7 Merger (2001) 2 Economy and industry 3 Religion 4 Transportation 5 Landmarks and notable institutions 6 Famous people 7 Annual events 8 Sister city 9 Trivia 10 Footnotes 11 See also 12 References

[edit] History

Before Shawinigan Falls was established, the local economy had been largely based on lumber and agriculture.

[edit] Boomtown

In the late 1890s, Shawinigan Falls drew the interest of foreign entrepreneurs such as John Joyce and J. E. Aldred of the Shawinigan, Water & Power Company (SW&P), and of Hubert Biermans of the Belgo Company because of its particular geographic situation. Its falls had the potential to become a favorable location for the production of hydroelectricity. ^[2]

In 1899, the SW&P commissioned Montreal engineering firm Pringle and Son to design a grid plan for a new industrial town on the banks of the Saint-Maurice River, providing the ground work for what would become downtown Shawinigan. ^[3]

In 1901, Shawinigan Falls was incorporated and became the site of the first production of aluminum in Canadian history. ^[4] Other industries included pulp and paper, chemical production and textiles.

Shawinigan Falls also became one of the first Canadian cities with electric street lighting.

For decades, the local pulp and paper, chemical and textile industries created thousands of jobs. The city steadily grew eastward and northward. Meanwhile on the other side of the river, Shawinigan-Sud (then Almaville) developed as a residential hub.

Shawinigan Falls also had a vibrant English-speaking community, which at times comprised more than 30% of the population. Early on, members of the French-speaking majority and the more privileged English-speaking minority settled in segregated neighbourhoods.

[edit] Great Depression

Local prosperity was interrupted by the Great Depression in the 1930s. Many plants were forced to temporarily reduce or stop their production, which left many residents jobless. Many families needed public assistance to survive. The City Council enacted a public works program to help families.

[edit] World War II

World War II put Shawinigan Falls, and many others cities in Canada, back on the path of economic recovery.

During hostilities, the windows of local power plants were painted black to prevent any possible German aerial attack.

The Shawinigan-based 81^st Artillery Battery was called to active duty during World War II. Its members were trained in Ontario and the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1944 and contributed to the Allies' effort in the Normandy Landings in 1944-45, which led to the Liberation of France. ^[5]

In 1948, a cenotaph, known as Monument des Braves, was erected in downtown Shawinigan at the intersection of Fourth Street and Promenade du Saint-Maurice (then Riverside Street) near the Saint-Maurice River, in honour of soldiers who died during that conflict as well as World War I.

[edit] Union battleground

Because of its large labor population, Shawinigan became a hot bed for trade union activities. The workers of the Belgo pulp and paper plant went on strike in 1955.

In the 1952 provincial election, Shawinigan sent a Liberal member to the legislature. The gesture was largely considered an affront to anti-labour Premier Maurice Duplessis.

Duplessis responded by refusing to approve the construction of a new bridge between Shawinigan and Shawinigan-Sud. The new bridge was not built until after the Liberal Party won the 1960 election.

[edit] Decline

In the 1950s, Shawinigan Falls entered a period of decline that would last for several decades.

Technological improvements made industries less dependent on Shawinigan's geographic location. Therefore, many employers would relocate nearby larger cities or close down.

As a reaction to declining opportunities, many residents, many of whom were English-speakers, left the area. Shawinigan High School is the only remaining English-language school in the city following the closure of St. Patrick's (closed circa 1983).

In 1963, the provincial government of Jean Lesage nationalized eleven privately owned electricity companies including SW&P. While benefiting the population in general, the decision may have been damaging to local interests.

[edit] Emerging hospitality industry

Following numerous failed attempts to jump start the local economy, an effort has led to the development of the hospitality industry. The most notable example of that initiative is the establishment of La Cité de l'Énergie, a theme park based on local industrial history, with a 115 metre high observation tower. Since it opened in 1997, it has attracted thousands of visitors to the area.

[edit] Merger (2001)

In 2001, Shawinigan amalgamated with much of the Regional County Municipality of Le Centre-de-la-Mauricie. The following municipalities were part of the merger:

Municipality	Year of Foundation [6]	Population (1996) [7]
Shawinigan [8]	1901	18,678
Grand-Mère [9]	1898	14,223
Shawinigan-Sud	1912	11,804
Saint-Georges-de-Champlain	1915	3,929
Lac-à-la-Tortue	1895	3,169
Saint-Gérard-des-Laurentides	1924 [10]	2,155
Saint-Jean-des-Piles	1897	693

[edit] Economy and industry

• an Alcan aluminum plant: built in 1941 and located at 1100 Boulevard Saint-Sacrement, it took over the production of a 1901 structure which is located near the Saint-Maurice River and is currently managed by La Cité de l'Énergie. It is expected to be shut down by 2015; ^[11]
• the Belgo pulp and paper plant: AbitibiBowater Inc. recently announced that the plant will cease its production on February 29, 2008; ^[12]
• large hydroelectric complex at Shawinigan Falls: the Shawinigan 2 (1911) and Shawinigan 3 (1948) power plants, established by the SW&P, they have been the property of Hydro-Québec since 1963 and are also located near the Saint-Maurice River.

[edit] Religion

In recent years, the church attendance of Catholics in Shawinigan has been on the decline. As a result, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trois Rivières has had difficulties maintaining its churches and merged a number of its parishes. The Catholic churches are:

Church	Location	Year of Foundation	Status
Saint-Pierre (Saint Peter)	792, avenue Hemlock	1901	active
Saint-Marc (Saint Mark)	1852, avenue Georges	1911	active
Sacré-Cœur (Sacred Heart)	17, rue de l'Église, Baie-de-Shawinigan	1911	active
Saint-Bernard (Saint Bernard)	562, 2e Rue	1912	inactive closed in 2005 [13]
Christ-Roi (Christ the King)	1250, rue Notre-Dame	1938	inactive closed in 1994 demolished in 2002 [14]
Sainte-Croix (Holy Cross)	2153, rue Gignac	1949	inactive closed in 2004 [15]
Saint-Charles-Garnier (Saint Charles Garnier)	2173, avenue De la Madone	1949	active
Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission (English-speaking community)	773, avenue de la Station	1949	inactive closed in 1990
L’Assomption (Assumption)	4393, boulevard Des Hêtres	1951	active
Desserte Sainte Hélène (Saint Helena Mission)	2350, 93e Rue	1967	inactive closed

The current church building for Saint-Pierre was constructed between 1908 and 1937. The structure's stained glass was designed by Italian Canadian artist Guido Nincheri between 1930 and 1961.

Members of the Baptist community attend church at Centre Évangelique de Shawinigan, located at 773, avenue de la Station.

[edit] Transportation

Many of the oldest streets of Shawinigan were numbered, like the streets of Manhattan, New York. Similarly, Avenue Broadway was named after the famous thoroughfare, located in the same borough.

Several other streets and avenues were named to honor famous people, including:

• George-Étienne Cartier
• Samuel de Champlain
• Dollard des Ormeaux
• Peter Julian Eymard
• Comte de Frontenac
• King George V
• Lomer Gouin
• Victor Hugo
• Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
• Marshal Joseph Joffre
• Pope John XXIII
• Curé Labelle
• Monsignor Louis-François Laflèche
• Sieur de La Salle
• Wilfrid Laurier
• Calixa Lavallée
• Honoré Mercier
• Marquis de Montcalm
• Pierre Laporte
• Cardinal Richelieu
• Basile Routhier
• Jean Talon
• Major General Georges Vanier

[edit] Landmarks and notable institutions

• The Trou du Diable (Devil's Hole): this mysterious location consists of a swirl in the Saint-Maurice River nearby the falls. Legend has it, the Trou du Diable has no bottom, making it impossible to rescue anyone who falls into it; ^[16]
• Parc Saint-Maurice: located in downtown Shawinigan, it was part of the city's original plan.
• the 62^nd (Shawinigan) Field Artillery Regiment: a militia unit of the Canadian Army which was called to active duty during World War II;
• La Cité de l'Énergie;
• the Collège Shawinigan: a CEGEP whose main campus is located at 2263 Avenue du Collège;
• the Shawinigan Cataractes: the only QMJHL franchise to have stayed in the same city since the league's inception in 1969. They play at the Arena Jacques Plante (855 Rue Broadway);
• the Shawinigan-Sud Tax Center;

[edit] Famous people

The city is home to:

• Peter Blaikie, a prominent lawyer;
• Jean Chrétien, who was Prime Minister of Canada from 1993 to 2003;
• Louise Forestier, who is a singer and an actress;
• Martin Gélinas, a National Hockey League (NHL) player;
• Jacques Lacoursière, a renowned historian;
• Carole Laure, an actress;
• Jacques Plante, an NHL goaltender
• Camil Samson, who was Member of the provincial legislature for the district of Rouyn-Noranda and the Leader of the Ralliement créditiste du Québec;

[edit] Annual events

• The Classique internationale de canots de la Mauricie: a prestigious marathon canoe race, held annually since 1934.
• Grand-Mère's Fête nationale du Québec celebration: consisting of a bonfire and a live performance from local musicians, its audience arguably ranks among the largest crowds in the Mauricie area. It takes place at the Parc de la rivière Grand-Mère. ^[17] The tradition goes back decades ago. ^[18]

[edit] Sister city

• Hamilton, Canada

[edit] Trivia

• The word "Shawinigan" means "portage at the crest" in Algonquian, referring to the nearby waterfall. Before 1958 the city was known as Shawinigan Falls.
• Traditionally, residents of Shawinigan have made a distinction between "downtown" (bas de la ville) and "uptown" (haut de la ville) Shawinigan. Downtown consists of the oldest and lowest section of town, near the river. Other sections, such as Saint-Marc and Christ-Roi (Christ the King) neighborhoods are built on higher ground and are considered uptown. Côte Saint-Marc is considered the transition between both.
• Likewise, Shawinigan-Sud has been divided into "Almaville-en-Bas" (down) and "Almaville-en-Haut" (up) in popular culture.
• Until the early 1950s, children under 16 years old had to observe a 9:00 p.m. curfew everyday. ^[19]
• Rue Mercier (Mercier Street), which is located in downtown Shawinigan, was named to honor Premier Honoré Mercier.
• Until 2001, Shawinigan contained one of the tallest guyed masts in Canada, the CBC Tower.

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] See also

• 62^nd (Shawinigan) Field Artillery Regiment
• La Cité de l'Énergie
• List of hydroelectric stations in Quebec
• Mauricie
• Mauricie Legislators
• Mayors of Shawinigan
• Municipal reorganization in Quebec
• Robert Trudel
• Saint-Maurice Federal Electoral District
• Saint-Maurice—Champlain Federal Electoral District
• Saint-Maurice Provincial Electoral District
• Saint-Maurice River
• Shawinigan, Water & Power Company
• Shawinigate

[edit] References

• (French) Shawinigan official site

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