Chapais, Quebec
| Chapais | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
 |
|
 Chapais
|
|
| Coordinates (145, boulevard Springer[1]): 49°47′N 74°51′W / 49.783°N 74.850°WCoordinates: 49°47′N 74°51′W / 49.783°N 74.850°W[2] | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Quebec |
| Region | Nord-du-Québec |
| RCM | None |
| Settled | 1929 |
| Constituted | November 16, 1955 |
| Named for | Thomas Chapais[2] |
| Government[1] | |
| • Mayor | Steve Gamache |
| • Federal riding | Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou |
| • Prov. riding | Ungava |
| Area[1][3] | |
| • Total | 62.40 km2 (24.09 sq mi) |
| • Land | 63.64 km2 (24.57 sq mi) |
| There is an apparent contradiction between two authoritative sources | |
| Population (2011)[3] | |
| • Total | 1,610 |
| • Density | 25.3/km2 (66/sq mi) |
| • Change (2006–11) |  1.2% |
| • Dwellings | 728 |
| Time zone | EST (UTC−5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC−4) |
| Postal code(s) | G0W 1H0 |
| Area code(s) | 418 and 581 |
| Website | www.villedechapais.com |
Chapais is a community in the Canadian province of Quebec, located on Route 113 near Chibougamau in the Jamésie region. It is surrounded by, but not a part of, the municipality of Baie-James. The community was first settled in 1929, when prospector Léo Springer discovered deposits of copper, silver and gold in the area, and was incorporated as a city in 1955. It was named for Thomas Chapais.[2]
Opémisca Copper Mines operated the community's mine until 1991. More recently, with the closure of the mines the community's primary industry has been forestry, and the community opened the first cogeneration plant in Quebec to produce electricity from the sawmill's waste matter.
In the night of December 31, 1979, at 1:30 a.m., 48 people lost their lives when a fire destroyed the Opémiska Community Hall. Fifty others were injured and rushed to Chibougamau hospital. This fire was the worst to occur in Quebec for more than 40 years. The fire, which may have been triggered in wreaths of dried flowers and Christmas decorations, and the ensuing chaos that followed quickly blocked access to the main entrance. Several people managed to escape in time, but the tragedy left deep scars in the community. Several dignitaries, including Premier René Lévesque, offered their sympathies to the victims' families.[4]
Chapais had a population of 1,610 in the Canada 2011 Census.
A crater on Mars is named after this community.
Demographics[edit source | edit]
Population:[5]
- Population in 2006: 1610
- 2006 to 2011 population change: -1.2 %
- Population in 2006: 1630
- Population in 2001: 1795
- Population in 1996: 2030
- Population in 1991: 2391
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 674 (total dwellings: 728)
Mother tongue:
- English as first language: 0.6%
- French as first language: 94%
- English and French as first language: 0%
- Other as first language: 5.4%
References[edit source | edit]
- ^ a b c Geographic code 99020 in the official Répertoire des municipalités (French)
- ^ a b c Reference number 12293 of the Commission de toponymie du Québec (French)
- ^ a b "(Code 2499020) Census Profile". 2011 census. Statistics Canada. 2012.
- ^ 1 janvier 1980 - Incendie meurtrier à Chapais
- ^ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 census
External links[edit source | edit]
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