Bristol, Quebec

Bristol is a municipality in the Ottawa Valley, on the Quebec side in the Outaouais region, part of the Pontiac Regional County Municipality, Quebec, Canada. It is located on the north shore of Lac des Chats (part of the Ottawa River) across from Arnprior, Ontario.

Bristol
Municipality
Location within Pontiac RCM
Location within Pontiac RCM
Bristol is located in Western Quebec
Bristol
Bristol
Location in western Quebec
Coordinates: 45°32′N 76°28′W[1]
Country Canada
Province Quebec
RegionOutaouais
RCMPontiac
ConstitutedJuly 1, 1855
Government
[2]
 • MayorBrent Orr
 • Federal ridingPontiac
 • Prov. ridingPontiac
Area
[2][3]
 • Total235.00 km2 (90.73 sq mi)
 • Land206.19 km2 (79.61 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[3]
 • Total1,199
 • Density5.8/km2 (15/sq mi)
 • Pop 2016-2021
Increase 15.7%
 • Dwellings
1,020
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
J0X 1G0
Area code819
Highways R-148
Websitebristolmunicipality.qc.ca

Its settlements include Bristol Village, Bristol Mines (Bristol-les-Mines), Bristol Ridge, Caldwell, Doherty, Elmside, Maple Ridge, Maryland, McKee, Norway Bay, and Weirstead.

History

Bristol Township, already shown on the Gale and Duberger Map of 1795, was officially created in 1834. It was named after the City of Bristol in south-west England, known for its port facilities.[4]

The first settlers came from England, Scotland, and Ireland, followed later on by settlers from Germany, France, and Poland.[5] In 1845, a post office was established, and in 1855, the township municipality was created together with the neighbouring hamlet of Norway Bay, an area that is now a sought-after resort location on the Ottawa River.[6] Its first mayor was William Craig and the mayor as of November 2009 is Brent Orr.[7]

Canada's first horse-drawn railroad was in the Bristol area. It was operated by the Union Forwarding Company, and ran from Pontiac Village bypassing the Chats Falls, to Union Village until 1886.[5]

From 1872 to 1894, iron ore was first mined. In 1956, a new open pit iron ore mine and processing facilities were built, employing up to 300 people. This was the first iron ore mining and pelletizing plant built in Quebec. It closed in 1976.[7]

On April 24, 2004, the Township Municipality of Bristol was changed to Municipality of Bristol.[6]

Demographics

Population
Canada census – Bristol community profile
202120162011
Population1,199 (+15.7% from 2016)1,036 (-8.2% from 2011)1,128 (-6.8% from 2006)
Land area206.19 km2 (79.61 sq mi)207.19 km2 (80.00 sq mi)206.86 km2 (79.87 sq mi)
Population density5.8/km2 (15/sq mi)5.0/km2 (13/sq mi)5.5/km2 (14/sq mi)
Median age51.6 (M: 52.0, F: 51.2)50.0 (M: 49.0, F: 50.4)48.2 (M: 47.6, F: 48.7)
Private dwellings1,020 (total)  547 (occupied)1,013 (total)  1,031 (total) 
Median household income$67,500$54,059$.N/A
Notes: 2011 income data for this area has been suppressed for data quality or confidentiality reasons.[8]
References: 2021[9] 2016[10] 2011[11] earlier[12][13]
Historical Census Data - Bristol, Quebec
YearPop.±%
1986 1,095—    
1991 1,116+1.9%
1996 1,129+1.2%
2001 993−12.0%
2006 1,210+21.9%
2011 1,128−6.8%
2016 1,036−8.2%
2021 1,199+15.7%
Source: [14]

Language

Mother tongues:[3]

  • English as first language: 74.2%
  • French as first language: 21.3%
  • Other as first language: 1.7%

Due to the fact that many visitors come to Norway Bay in the summers, these statistics may change.

Tourism and attractions
Public beach at Norway Bay

Norway Bay is a popular summer destination with hundreds of cottages and one hotel catering to tourists. Also located here is McLellan Park with a public beach and wharf on the Ottawa River.[15]

During the months of June, July, and August, Norway Bay is considered home to hundreds of families. At the wharf, there are swimming lessons, and at the beach there are kayak and canoe adventures. Norway Bay has grown incredibly the past decade due to the many opportunities it brings to all ages.

Other outdoor activities include cycling on the Cycloparc PPJ trail, sampling agritourism and local food and drink products at Coronation Hall Cider Mills, golfing at Pine Lodge the local golf course, boating, fishing, and hiking.[15]

In the winter, snowmobiling can be done on local trails, and on top of the frozen river, if temperatures permit.

See also

References
  1. "Reference number 379116 in Banque de noms de lieux du Québec". toponymie.gouv.qc.ca (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec.
  2. "Bristol". Répertoire des municipalités (in French). Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  3. "Tableau des données, Profil du recensement, Recensement de la population de 2021". 9 February 2022.
  4. "Canton de Bristol" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
  5. "History of Bristol". Municipality of Bristol. Archived from the original on 2002-06-04. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  6. "Municipalité de Canton de Bristol" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
  7. "Pontiac MRC Gateway: Bristol". Pontiac MRC Gateway. Archived from the original on October 7, 2006. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  8. "Bristol census profile". 2011 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  9. "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  10. "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  11. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  12. "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
  13. "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
  14. Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 census
  15. "Tourism in Bristol". Municipality of Bristol. Archived from the original on 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2008-06-03.

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