Sainte-Félicité, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Quebec

Sainte-Félicité is a municipality in La Matanie Regional County Municipality of Quebec, Canada, located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River. It is named after Felicitas of Rome, a martyred saint. Its economy is based on fishing and agriculture.

Not to be confused with Sainte-Félicité, Chaudière-Appalaches, Quebec.
Sainte-Félicité
Municipality
Church of Sainte-Félicité
Location within La Matanie RCM.

Sainte-Félicité
Location in eastern Quebec.
Coordinates: 48°54′N 67°20′W[1]
Country Canada
Province Quebec
RegionBas-Saint-Laurent
RCMLa Matanie
Settledmid 19th century
ConstitutedJanuary 10, 1996
Government
 • MayorClaudine Desjardins
 • Federal ridingHaute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia
 • Prov. ridingMatane-Matapédia
Area
 • Total90.60 km2 (34.98 sq mi)
 • Land91.35 km2 (35.27 sq mi)
 There is an apparent
contradiction between two
authoritative sources
Population
 (2011)[3]
 • Total1,175
 • Density12.9/km2 (33/sq mi)
 • Pop 2006-2011
 2.2%
 • Dwellings
625
Demonym(s)Félicitois, Félicitoise
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
G0J 2K0
Area code(s)418 and 581
Highways Route 132

Notable people who came from Sainte-Félicité include Québécois pop singer Isabelle Boulay, who was born there in 1972.

In addition to Sainte-Félicité itself, the municipality also includes the communities of Cap-à-la-Baleine, L'Anse-à-la-Croix, Le Grand-Deuxième, Le Petit-Deuxième, and Sainte-Félicité-Ouest.

History

According to recent studies, Cap à la Baleine (Cape Whale) was how far Jacques Cartier sailed up the Saint Lawrence in 1534. It was also an area with many shipwrecks, earning it the name Pointe-au-Massacre (Massacre Point), sometimes pluralized as Pointe-aux-Massacres. While Saint-Denis, the name of the geographic township, was used concurrently, the macabre name remained in use until the mid 19th century and was the inspiration for the current name, because Bishop Charles-François Baillargeon wrote "je change le Massacre en Félicité" ("I change the massacre to happiness") in 1860.[1]

In 1857, a mission was established. In 1864, the post office opened under the name Sainte-Félicité. In 1866, the place was incorporated as the Township Municipality of Saint-Denis, but two years later changed its name and status to Parish Municipality of Sainte-Félicité.[1]

In 1955, the main settlement separated from the parish municipality and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Sainte-Félicité.[1]

On January 10, 1996, the current Municipality of Sainte-Félicité was formed when the Village Municipality and Parish Municipality were rejoined together again.[1]

Demographics

Population
Canada census – Sainte-Félicité, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Quebec community profile
2011 2006
Population: 1,175 (-2.2% from 2006) 1,201 (-4.4% from 2001)
Land area: 91.35 km2 (35.27 sq mi) 91.35 km2 (35.27 sq mi)
Population density: 8.3/km2 (21/sq mi) 13.1/km2 (34/sq mi)
Median age: 49.7 (M: 49.2, F: 50.2) 46.3 (M: 46.0, F: 46.6)
Total private dwellings: 625 679
Median household income: $42,819 $34,300
References: 2011[3] 2006[4] earlier[5]
Historical Census Data - Sainte-Félicité, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Quebec[6]
YearPop.±%
1991 666—    
YearPop.±%
1996 1,330+99.7%
YearPop.±%
2001 1,256−5.6%
YearPop.±%
2006 1,201−4.4%
YearPop.±%
2011 1,175−2.2%

Population trend (pre-merger):[7]

  • Population totals in 1991:
    • Sainte-Félicité (parish municipality): 666
    • Sainte-Félicité (village municipality): 758

See also

References
  1. "Sainte-Félicité (Municipalité)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  2. "Sainte-Félicité". Répertoire des municipalités (in French). Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  3. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 5, 2013. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  4. "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. March 30, 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  5. "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 17, 2012.
  6. Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 census
  7. Statistics Canada: 1996



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