shawinigan

File:Flag of Shawinigan (1951-2009).svg}} until 2002]]

In 1651, the Jesuit priest Buteaux was the first European known to have travelled up the Saint-Maurice River to this river's first set of great falls. Afterwards, missionaries going to the Upper Saint-Maurice would rest here. Before Shawinigan Falls was established, the local economy had been largely based on lumber and agriculture.

File:3e rue, Shawinigan falls BAnQ CP 023683 CON.jpg

In the late 1890s, Shawinigan Falls drew the interest of foreign entrepreneurs such as John Joyce and John Edward Aldred of the Shawinigan Water & Power Company (SW&P), and of Hubert Biermans of the Belgo Canadian Pulp & Paper Company because of its particular geographic situation. Its falls had the potential to become a favorable location for the production of hydroelectricity.[http://www.rsc.ca/files/publications/transactions/2004/lambert.pdf Transactions 2004: Life, Learning and the Arts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930012935/http://www.rsc.ca/files/publications/transactions/2004/lambert.pdf |date=2007-09-30 }}, The Royal Society of Canada, November 19, 2004

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.[http://www.cca.qc.ca/pages/Niveau3.asp?page=power&lang=eng Power and Planning: Industrial Towns in Québec, 1890-1950] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627122209/http://cca.qc.ca/pages/Niveau3.asp?page=power&lang=eng |date=2007-06-27 }}, CCA, 1996

In 1901, the place was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Shawinigan Falls and gained town (ville) status a year later in 1902. The hydro-electric generating station contributed to rapid economic growth and the town achieved several firsts in Canadian history: first production of aluminum (1901), carborundum (1908), cellophane pellets (1932).[http://www.alcan.com/web/publishing.nsf/Content/Alcan+Celebrates+100+Years+of+Aluminum+Production+in+Canada_FR Alcan célèbre le centenaire de la production d'aluminium au Canada], Alcan Inc., November 1, 2001 Shawinigan Falls also became one of the first Canadian cities with electric street lighting.

File:Hôtel de ville de Shawinigan.JPGFor decades, the local pulp and paper, chemical and textile industries created thousands of jobs and stimulated city growth (see Sketch Map of Urban {{sic|hide=y|Neighborhoods}} in Shawinigan, 1899-1951).

Image:Shawinigan Neighborhoods.PNG

Urban development steadily increased in Downtown Shawinigan Falls. By 1921, this sector was densely filled with commercial buildings on Fourth and Fifth street, as well as Station Avenue, one-family residences along the Riverside corridor (current-day St-Maurice Drive) and multi-story tenements elsewhere.René Bergeron, Encadrement clérical en contexte d’urbanisation à Shawinigan, UQTR, April 1997

The Olmsted Brothers design firm was hired by the city to implement a beautification program. By the late 1920s, Downtown Shawinigan Falls was home to a public market, a fire station, a technical school, several church buildings and two landscaped public parks, including the Saint-Maurice Park.Patri-Arch, Inventaire du patrimoine bâti de la ville de Shawinigan, Corporation culturelle de Shawinigan, July 2010

Many of the opulent uphill homes located in the somewhat secluded areas of Maple Street and Hemlock Avenue were occupied by more affluent people, many of whom happened to belong to the once vibrant English-speaking community, which at times comprised more than 30% of the local population.

As industrial plants began operation eastward and northward, neighbourhoods were established in Uptown Shawinigan Falls. The emergence of these new districts was defined by and intertwined with the parish structure of the Roman Catholic Church. The Saint-Marc neighbourhood, originally known as Village St-Onge, was annexed in 1902, extending the city limits to Dufresne Street. The uptown presence of the Canadian Carborundum and Alcan no. Two plants favoured the foundation of the Christ-Roi neighbourhood, which was annexed in 1925, extending the city limits to St Sacrement Boulevard. The land now occupied by the section of town currently known as Shawinigan-Est was annexed in 1932.

Uptown Shawinigan Falls had its own fire station by 1922 and its own landscaped public park and swimming pool by 1940.Fabien LaRochelle, Shawinigan depuis 75 ans, Shawinigan, 1976

Westside near the Shawinigan River, the existence of the pulp and paper Belgo plant attracted enough residents to form a small, yet stable independent urban community called Baie-de-Shawinigan.

Across the Saint-Maurice River, Shawinigan-Sud (then Almaville) maintained home-rule and developed as a residential hub.

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.

The promenade along the Saint-Maurice River was a project to create work during the depression.

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 81st 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.J.J. Bellemare, 60 ans d'artillerie en Mauricie, Shawinigan, 1996

In 1948, a cenotaph, known as Monument des Braves, was erected in downtown Shawinigan Falls 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.

By the early 1950s, the industrial growth in Shawinigan Falls was such that the city offered the steadiest employment and the highest wages in Quebec.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=698&dat=19570529&id=Fu4jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NEQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2583,332898 |title=Shawinigan Falls Labor Wage Rate Highest in Province|newspaper=The Shawinigan Standard |publisher=D.R. Wilson |date=13 October 1954 }} Due to this advantageous position, Shawinigan Falls became a hot bed for organized labor and bargaining power. The rise of its working class also favoured the presence of numerous independently owned taverns.

As its working class gained economic ground and political leverage, Shawinigan Falls became fertile ground for labour unions. 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 Premier Maurice Duplessis, who responded by refusing to approve the construction of a new bridge between Shawinigan Falls and Shawinigan-Sud. The new bridge was not built until after the Liberal Party won the 1960 election. It was completed on September 2, 1962.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=E7VqQtBCVmcC&dat=19620905&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |title=Premier Lesage Inaugurated Shawinigan Bridge Sunday|newspaper=The Shawinigan Standard |publisher=D.R. Wilson |date=5 September 1962 }}

In the 1950s, a number of taverns provided a male-only social environment for industrial workers. They were mostly concentrated in Downtown Shawinigan Falls (Saint-Bernard and Saint-Pierre), as well as in the Saint-Marc neighbourhood, as Shawinigan-Sud remained a dry town until 1961.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=698&dat=19610705&id=e7wvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S0QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3673,3883848 |title=Prohibition Repealed at Shawinigan South|newspaper=The Shawinigan Standard |publisher=D.R. Wilson |date=5 July 1961 }}

In 1951, the local tavern keepers formed a business association.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=698&dat=19510509&id=edgvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BEMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2353,7062281 |title=Tavern Keepers form Local Association|newspaper=The Shawinigan Standard |publisher=D.R. Wilson |date=9 May 1951 }}

In 1981, the provincial government enacted a law that gave women access to most taverns. By 1986, women had already been admitted in most taverns.[http://www.unites.uqam.ca/arir/pdf/chronologieNouvelleVersionJuin2007.pdf Chronologie de l’histoire des femmes au Québec et rappel d’événements marquants à travers le monde ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114033229/http://www.unites.uqam.ca/arir/pdf/chronologieNouvelleVersionJuin2007.pdf |date=2013-11-14 }}, 2006-07

While a handful of local taverns evolved into bistros or restaurants, most of them did not survive the industrial decline that characterized the last third of the 20th Century.

In the 1950s, Shawinigan Falls entered a period of decline that would last for several decades. Technological improvements made industries less dependent on Shawinigan Falls' geographic location. Therefore, many employers would relocate to nearby larger cities or close down.

In 1958, it received city (cité) status, and its name was abbreviated to just Shawinigan.

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). Shawinigan's last English-language newspaper, the Shawinigan Standard, ceased publication at the end of 1970.{{cite news|last1=Wilson|first1=Don|title=Greetings of the Christmas Season: Final Edition|work=The Shawinigan Standard|issue=27|date=22 December 1970|page=1|quote=It is with sincere regret and a heavy heart that we must ring down the curtain on the Standard, in its 42nd year of publication and what for the past few months has been the only English medium in the St. Maurice Valley.}}

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.

In order to offset the decline of the heavy industry, leaders have promoted the expansion of the local 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 {{convert|115|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} observation tower. Since it opened in 1997, it has attracted thousands of visitors to the area. It currently hosts bus tours and cruises, as well as entertainment shows and interactive exhibits. Since 2012, it is also home to the Museum of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, a venue similar to those operated by the U.S. presidential library system and which focuses on the gifts received by the former Prime Minister of Canada (1993-2003) during his official duties.[http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/justice-et-affaires-criminelles/201206/16/01-4535574-le-musee-du-premier-ministre-jean-chretien-ouvre-ses-portes.php Le «Musée du premier ministre Jean Chrétien» ouvre ses portes, Daniel Lemay, La Presse, June 16, 2012]

File:Shawinigan 002.jpg

Image:Trou du diable Shawinigan.JPG In 1998, Shawinigan merged with the Village Municipality of Baie-de-Shawinigan.

On January 1, 2002, Shawinigan amalgamated with much of the Regional County Municipality of Le Centre-de-la-Mauricie. The following municipalities were part of the merger:

Shawinigan has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) featuring cold and snowy winters coupled with warm and humid summers. Precipitation is moderate to high year round, resulting in heavy winter snowfall, typical of Eastern Canada.

{{Weather box

|location = Shawinigan

|metric first = Y

|single line = Y

|Jan record high C = 10.5

|Feb record high C = 9.4

|Mar record high C = 17.8

|Apr record high C = 31.0

|May record high C = 33.9

|Jun record high C = 35.6

|Jul record high C = 36.7

|Aug record high C = 37.2

|Sep record high C = 32.8

|Oct record high C = 30.0

|Nov record high C = 19.4

|Dec record high C = 11.1

|year record high C = 37.2

|Jan high C = -8.0

|Feb high C = -5.2

|Mar high C = 1.1

|Apr high C = 9.3

|May high C = 18.1

|Jun high C = 22.8

|Jul high C = 25.1

|Aug high C = 23.6

|Sep high C = 17.8

|Oct high C = 11.1

|Nov high C = 3.1

|Dec high C = -4.3

|year high C = 9.6

|Jan mean C = -13.2

|Feb mean C = -10.6

|Mar mean C = -4.0

|Apr mean C = 4.2

|May mean C = 12.0

|Jun mean C = 17.1

|Jul mean C = 19.6

|Aug mean C = 18.3

|Sep mean C = 12.9

|Oct mean C = 6.8

|Nov mean C = -0.4

|Dec mean C = -8.7

|year mean C = 4.5

|Jan low C = -18.3

|Feb low C = -16.0

|Mar low C = -9.2

|Apr low C = -0.9

|May low C = 5.8

|Jun low C = 11.3

|Jul low C = 14.1

|Aug low C = 13.0

|Sep low C = 8.0

|Oct low C = 2.5

|Nov low C = -4.0

|Dec low C = -13.1

|year low C = -0.6

|Jan record low C = -47.0

|Feb record low C = -37.8

|Mar record low C = -33.9

|Apr record low C = -24.4

|May record low C = -7.2

|Jun record low C = -2.8

|Jul record low C = -0.6

|Aug record low C = 1.0

|Sep record low C = -6.7

|Oct record low C = -11.1

|Nov record low C = -25.0

|Dec record low C = -42.2

|year record low C = -47.0

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 78.9

|Feb precipitation mm = 60.1

|Mar precipitation mm = 73.5

|Apr precipitation mm = 81.1

|May precipitation mm = 97.6

|Jun precipitation mm = 101.6

|Jul precipitation mm = 107.6

|Aug precipitation mm = 103.0

|Sep precipitation mm = 99.3

|Oct precipitation mm = 92.5

|Nov precipitation mm = 82.5

|Dec precipitation mm = 91.0

|year precipitation mm = 1068.6

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 17.7

|Feb rain mm = 15.0

|Mar rain mm = 34.5

|Apr rain mm = 67.7

|May rain mm = 97.1

|Jun rain mm = 101.6

|Jul rain mm = 107.6

|Aug rain mm = 103.0

|Sep rain mm = 99.3

|Oct rain mm = 91.9

|Nov rain mm = 58.5

|Dec rain mm = 25.6

|year rain mm = 819.4

|snow colour = green

|Jan snow cm = 61.1

|Feb snow cm = 45.2

|Mar snow cm = 39.0

|Apr snow cm = 13.4

|May snow cm = 0.5

|Jun snow cm = 0.0

|Jul snow cm = 0.0

|Aug snow cm = 0.0

|Sep snow cm = 0.0

|Oct snow cm = 0.6

|Nov snow cm = 24.0

|Dec snow cm = 65.4

|year snow cm = 249.1

|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 12.4

|Feb precipitation days = 9.1

|Mar precipitation days = 10.0

|Apr precipitation days = 11.2

|May precipitation days = 12.5

|Jun precipitation days = 13.3

|Jul precipitation days = 13.3

|Aug precipitation days = 13.0

|Sep precipitation days = 12.6

|Oct precipitation days = 11.9

|Nov precipitation days = 11.1

|Dec precipitation days = 13.1

|year precipitation days = 143.4

|unit rain days = 0.2 mm

|Jan rain days = 1.5

|Feb rain days = 1.1

|Mar rain days = 4.0

|Apr rain days = 9.6

|May rain days = 12.5

|Jun rain days = 13.3

|Jul rain days = 13.3

|Aug rain days = 13.0

|Sep rain days = 12.6

|Oct rain days = 11.7

|Nov rain days = 6.3

|Dec rain days = 2.6

|year rain days = 101.3

|unit snow days = 0.2 cm

|Jan snow days = 11.4

|Feb snow days = 8.0

|Mar snow days = 6.0

|Apr snow days = 2.1

|May snow days = 0.2

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.3

|Nov snow days = 4.7

|Dec snow days = 10.7

|year snow days = 43.5

|source 1 = Environment Canada{{cite web

| publisher = Environment Canada

| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=shawinigan&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=5290&dispBack=1

| title = Shawinigan, Quebec

| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000

|date = 19 January 2011| access-date = 17 July 2016}}

}}

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Shawinigan had a population of {{val|49620|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|25060|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|27444|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:49620-49349}}|49349|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|49349|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|729.98|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|49620|729.98|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000224 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Quebec | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=August 29, 2022}}

• 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 has since shut down in 2015;[http://argent.canoe.com/lca/infos/quebec/archives/2007/11/20071119-145043.html Lueur d'espoir pour l'aluminerie Alcan de Shawinigan, Presse canadienne, November 19, 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119213719/http://argent.canoe.com/lca/infos/quebec/archives/2007/11/20071119-145043.html |date=January 19, 2008 }}
• the Belgo pulp and paper plant: AbitibiBowater Inc. ceased its production on February 29, 2008;[http://www.lhebdodustmaurice.com/article-169417-Belgo-le-syndicat-depose-un-grief-pour-retarder-la-fermeture.html Belgo: le syndicat dépose un grief pour retarder la fermeture, Bernard Lepage, L'Hebdo du Saint-Maurice, December 20, 2007]
• The Laurentide Paper Company: AbitibiBowater Inc. the last major paper mill still active in Shawinigan, located in the Grand-Mère district.
• large hydroelectric complex at Shawinigan Falls: the Shawinigan 2 (1911) and Shawinigan 3 (1948) power plants, established by the Shawinigan Water & Power Company, they have been the property of Hydro-Québec since 1963 and are also located near the Saint-Maurice River.

• 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.[http://www.voir.ca/actualite/actualite.aspx?iIDArticle=42484 La fête nationale en Mauricie] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927184923/http://www.voir.ca/actualite/actualite.aspx?iIDArticle=42484 |date=2007-09-27 }}, Karine Parenteau, Voir, June 22, 2006 The tradition goes back decades ago.[http://www.lhebdodustmaurice.com/article-78625-Vandalisme-dans-le-parc-de-la-riviere-GrandMere.html Vandalisme dans le parc de la rivière Grand-Mère], Clin d'oeil historique, L'Hebdo du St-Maurice, February 23, 2007

• 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 [http://www.vif.com/users/spongiana/trou.html Brasserie Le Trou du Diable]
• Parc Saint-Maurice: located in downtown Shawinigan, it was part of the city's original plan.
• the 62nd (Shawinigan) Field Artillery Regiment: a Reserve unit of the Canadian Army which was called to active duty during World War II
• La Cité de l'Énergie
• 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 Centre Gervais-Auto
• the Shawinigan-Sud Tax Centre

The Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League play out of the Centre Gervais Auto in Shawinigan. It played host to the 2012 Memorial Cup hockey tournament and won the Championship, defeating the London Knights in the final.

Shawinigan is served by the Centre de services scolaire de l'Énergie school board. Children who meet Charter of the French Language requirements for instruction in English can attend Shawinigan High School, operated by the Central Quebec School Board.

Shawinigan is also home of the Séminaire Sainte-Marie, a private institution that provides the secondary curriculum and of the Collège Shawinigan, a CEGEP.

• Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
• Monterrey, Mexico

• Marcel Pronovost, National Hockey League player
• Peter Blaikie, lawyer
• Michaël Bournival, National Hockey League player
• Aline Chrétien, wife of Jean Chrétien
• Jean Chrétien, 20th Prime Minister of Canada from 1993–2003
• Sylvain Cossette, singer
• Antoine Dufour, acoustic guitarist
• Paul Dumont, founding father of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
• Louise Forestier, singer and actress
• Martin Gélinas, National Hockey League player
• Jacques Lacoursière, historian
• Carole Laure, actress
• Bryan Perro, author, known for the Amos Daragon series
• Jacques Plante, National Hockey League player
• André Pronovost, National Hockey League player
• Camil Samson, leader of the Ralliement créditiste du Québec

File:Secteur_Lac_a_la_Tortue_035.jpg|Lac-à-la-Tortue, Turtle Lake, seaplane docked, Chemin de la Vigilance

• List of regional county municipalities and equivalent territories in Quebec
• Mayors of Shawinigan
• Saint-Maurice River
• La Mauricie National Park
• Wapizagonke Lake
• Lac-à-la-Tortue, sector of Shawinigan
• Grand-Mère, sector of Shawinigan
• Île Anselme-Fay

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Shawinigan&DGUIDlist=2021A00052436033,2021S05100750&GENDERlist=1&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 | title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Shawinigan, Ville (V) [Census subdivision], Quebec;Shawinigan [Population centre], Quebec | date=9 February 2022 }}

{{mamrot |type=municipalite |36033}}

}}

{{Commons category|Shawinigan, Quebec}}

• {{in lang|fr}} [http://www.shawinigan.ca/ Shawinigan official site]

{{Geographic location

| title = Adjacent Municipal Subdivisions

| Centre = Shawinigan

| North = Lac-Normand

| Northeast = Trois-Rives

| East = Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac
Grandes-Piles
Hérouxville

| Southeast = Saint-Narcisse

| South = Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel

| Southwest = Saint-Étienne-des-Grès

| West = Saint-Alexis-des-Monts
Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc
Saint-Boniface

| Northwest =

}}

{{Geographic Location (8-way)

| title = Adjacent Counties & Equivalent Territories

| Centre = Shawinigan TE

| North = Mékinac RCM

| Northeast =

| East = Mékinac RCM

| Southeast =

| South = Les Chenaux RCM

| Southwest =

| West = Maskinongé RCM

| Northwest =

}}

{{Administrative divisions of Quebec region|Mauricie}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities and towns in Quebec

Category:Territories equivalent to a regional county municipality