La Sarre, Quebec
Encyclopedia
La Sarre is a town in northwestern Quebec
, Canada
, and is the most populous town and seat of the Abitibi-Ouest Regional County Municipality
. It is located at the intersection of Routes 111
and 393
, on the La Sarre River, a tributary of Lake Abitibi
.
In addition to La Sarre itself, the town's territory also includes the community of Bienvenu, located along Route 111 west of the La Sarre River.
The first white settlers, six in number, settled as squatters on the land in the late 19th century and were discovered during the survey of the township in 1908. Real colonization began at the time when the National Transcontinental Railway
running through the Abitibi region was completed. The first permanent pioneer family arrived in 1912, followed by more settlers and development drawn to the area for its mining, forestry, and agricultural potential, and resulted in the formation of the settlement. In 1915, the post office opened, and a year later, the La Sarre Township was proclaimed, named after the La Sarre Regiment that was recognized for its part in the Battle of Carillon
and the capture of Fort Oswego. In 1917, the Township Municipality of La Sarre was established, the same year as the Parish of Saint-André-de-la-Sarre. The Hudson's Bay Company opened a post in 1932, and only operated until 1941.
In 1937, the village separated from the township and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of La Sarre. It gained town (ville) status on August 17, 1949. In April 1980, the town and township municipality merged to form the current municipality.
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 3366 (total dwellings: 3520)
Mother tongue:
, as well as agriculture, with over 60% of its land under cultivation. The mining industry, together with small service sector businesses, complements the economy. The area's flying needs are served by La Sarre Airport
.
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and is the most populous town and seat of the Abitibi-Ouest Regional County Municipality
Abitibi-Ouest Regional County Municipality, Quebec
Abitibi-Ouest Regional County Municipality is located in Northwestern Quebec. The Regional County Municipality seat is La Sarre.-Communities:*Cities and Towns**Duparquet**La Sarre**Macamic*Municipalities**Authier...
. It is located at the intersection of Routes 111
Quebec Route 111
Route 111 is a north/south highway on the north shore of the Saint-Lawrence River in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of Quebec, Canada. Its northern terminus is in the municipality of Baie-James at the junction of Route 393, and its southern terminus is in Val-d'Or at the junction of Route...
and 393
Quebec Route 393
Route 393 is a Quebec provincial highway located in the province's Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions. The highway runs from the junction of Route 101 in the Rouyn-Noranda suburb of Destor and ends in Val-Paradis in the municipality of Baie-James...
, on the La Sarre River, a tributary of Lake Abitibi
Lake Abitibi
Lake Abitibi is a lake in northeastern Ontario and western Quebec, Canada. The lake is separated in two distinct portions by a short narrows, making it actually 2 lakes. Its total area is 931 km², and net area 903 km². The lake is shallow and studded with islands...
.
In addition to La Sarre itself, the town's territory also includes the community of Bienvenu, located along Route 111 west of the La Sarre River.
History
Before colonization, the area was home to the indigenous Algonquin who called the place Wabakin, from wàba and akin meaning "there is a mountain of hardwood", and called the La Sarre River Adikameg Sibi, which was also identified as Amikitik.The first white settlers, six in number, settled as squatters on the land in the late 19th century and were discovered during the survey of the township in 1908. Real colonization began at the time when the National Transcontinental Railway
National Transcontinental Railway
The National Transcontinental Railway was a historic Canadian railway between Winnipeg and Moncton. Much of the line is now operated by the Canadian National Railway.-The Grand Trunk partnership:...
running through the Abitibi region was completed. The first permanent pioneer family arrived in 1912, followed by more settlers and development drawn to the area for its mining, forestry, and agricultural potential, and resulted in the formation of the settlement. In 1915, the post office opened, and a year later, the La Sarre Township was proclaimed, named after the La Sarre Regiment that was recognized for its part in the Battle of Carillon
Battle of Carillon
The Battle of Carillon, also known as the 1758 Battle of Ticonderoga, was fought on July 8, 1758, during the French and Indian War...
and the capture of Fort Oswego. In 1917, the Township Municipality of La Sarre was established, the same year as the Parish of Saint-André-de-la-Sarre. The Hudson's Bay Company opened a post in 1932, and only operated until 1941.
In 1937, the village separated from the township and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of La Sarre. It gained town (ville) status on August 17, 1949. In April 1980, the town and township municipality merged to form the current municipality.
Demographics
Population trend:- Population in 2006: 7336 (2001 to 2006 population change: -5.1 %)
- Population in 2001: 7728
- Population in 1996: 8345
- Population in 1991: 8513
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 3366 (total dwellings: 3520)
Mother tongue:
- English as first language: 0.7 %
- French as first language: 98.3 %
- English and French as first language: 0.3 %
- Other as first language: 0.6 %
Economy
The main local resource is the forest, which covers over 4700 square kilometres (1,814.7 sq mi) and provides lumber to the town's main employers Norbord and TembecTembec
Tembec Inc. is a paper company in Canada. Tembec has approximately 6000 employees located in Canada, United States, and France. Tembec's operating divisions include Forest Products, Pulp, Paper & Paperboard, and Chemicals....
, as well as agriculture, with over 60% of its land under cultivation. The mining industry, together with small service sector businesses, complements the economy. The area's flying needs are served by La Sarre Airport
La Sarre Airport
La Sarre Airport, , is located northeast of La Sarre, Quebec, Canada....
.
Municipal council
- Mayor: Normand Houde
- Councillors: Rita B. Barrette, Marcel Fontaine, Yves Dubé, Richard Mailloux, Sébastien Bélisle, Louis Côté.
List of mayors
Former mayors of La Sarre were:- Adélard Cousineau 1917
- Félix Brousseau 1919
- Léonidas Boisvert 1920
- Hormidas Gauthier 1921–23
- Jules Lavigne 1923–31
- Edmond Mercier 1931–33
- Oscar Létourneau 1933–36
- Adrien Mercier 1936–39
- Gustave Rheault 1939–41
- Paul Bélanger 1941–44
- G. Eugène Lambert 1944–47
- Arthur Fortin 1947
- Fernand Doyon 1947–48
- Gérard Mercier 1948
- François-Xavier Martel 1948–51
- Gérard Mercier 1951–53
- Adélard Pelletier 1953–55
- Clément Déry 1955–63
- Hector Gagné 1963–68
- Roger Cousineau 1968–69
- Yves Baltazard 1969–72
- Raymond Thibault 1972–77
- Paul-Aurèle St-Pierre 1977–92
- Guy Carignan 1992–93
- Guillaume Marquis 1993–96
- J-Horace Lessard 1996–2003
- Normand Houde 2003–