Sainte-Félicité, Bas-Saint-Laurent

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

Not to be confused with Sainte-Félicité, Chaudière-Appalaches.

Sainte-Félicité
Municipality
Church of Sainte-Félicité
Church of Sainte-Félicité
Location within La Matanie RCM.
Location within La Matanie RCM.
Sainte-Félicité is located in Eastern Quebec
Sainte-Félicité

Sainte-Félicité
Location in eastern Quebec.
Coordinates: 48°54′N 67°20′W[1][3]
CountryCanada
ProvinceQuebec
RegionBas-Saint-Laurent
RCMLa Matanie
Settledmid 19th century
ConstitutedJanuary 10, 1996
Government
[4]
 • MayorClaudine Desjardins
 • Federal ridingHaute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia
 • Prov. ridingMatane-Matapédia
Area
[4][5]
 • Total90.60 km2 (34.98 sq mi)
 • Land90.73 km2 (35.03 sq mi)
 There is an apparent
contradiction between two
authoritative sources
Population
 (2021)[5]
 • Total1,100
 • Density12.1/km2 (31/sq mi)
 • Pop 2016-2021
Increase 1.2%
 • Dwellings
580
Demonym(s)Félicitois, Félicitoise
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
G0J 2K0
Area code(s)418 and 581
Highways R-132
Websitewww.mrcdematane.qc.ca/stefelicite.html

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 St. 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.[3]

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.[3]

In 1955, the main settlement separated from the parish municipality and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Sainte-Félicité.[3]

On January 10, 1996, the current Municipality of Sainte-Félicité was formed when the Village Municipality and Parish Municipality were rejoined together again.[3]

Demographics

Population
Canada census – Sainte-Félicité community profile
202120162011
Population1,100 (+1.2% from 2016)1,065 (-9.4% from 2011)1,175 (-2.2% from 2006)
Land area90.73 km2 (35.03 sq mi)91.38 km2 (35.28 sq mi)91.35 km2 (35.27 sq mi)
Population density12.1/km2 (31/sq mi)11.7/km2 (30/sq mi)8.3/km2 (21/sq mi)
Median age52.4 (M: 51.6, F: 53.6)54 (M: 53.3, F: 55.1)49.7 (M: 49.2, F: 50.2)
Private dwellings505 (total)  635 (total)  625 (total) 
Median household income$43,456$42,819
References: 2021[5] 2016[6] 2011[7] earlier[8][9]
Historical Census Data - Sainte-Félicité, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Quebec[10]
YearPop.±%
2001 1,256—    
YearPop.±%
2006 1,201−4.4%
YearPop.±%
2011 1,175−2.2%
YearPop.±%
2016 1,087−7.5%
YearPop.±%
2021 1,100+1.2%

See also

References
  1. "Sainte-Félicité". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  2. "Sainte-Félicité". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  3. "Sainte-Félicité (Municipalité)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  4. "Sainte-Félicité". Répertoire des municipalités (in French). Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  5. "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  6. "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  7. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  8. "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
  9. "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
  10. Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 census
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