Messines
Municipality
Messines is located in Western Quebec
Messines
Messines
Location in western Quebec
Coordinates: 46°14′N 76°01′W / 46.233°N 76.017°W / 46.233; -76.017[1]
CountryCanada
ProvinceQuebec
RegionOutaouais
RCMLa Vallée-de-la-Gatineau
ConstitutedAugust 19, 1921
Government
[2]
 • MayorRonald Cross
 • Federal ridingPontiac
 • Prov. ridingGatineau
Area
[2][3]
 • Total129.48 km2 (49.99 sq mi)
 • Land110.11 km2 (42.51 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[3]
 • Total1,655
 • Density15.0/km2 (39/sq mi)
 • Pop (2016–21)
Increase 0.1%
 • Dwellings
1,047
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
J0X 2J0
Area code819
Websitewww.messines.ca

Messines is a municipality in the Canadian province of Quebec. It includes the population centres of Messines and Farley.

Maniwaki Airport is located in Messines.[4][5]

History

Settlement began in 1840, and the village came to be known as Burbidge or Burbridge by 1906, named after Deputy Minister of Justice George Wheelock Burbidge.[1] Further development resulted from agriculture and forestry, and consolidation of the community, at the start of the 1900s, was thanks to the arrival of the railway, which for more than a century connected Hull (Gatineau) to Maniwaki. The Saint-Raphaël parish was legally constituted in 1906.

On August 19, 1921, the municipality was established when it separated from the Township Municipality of Bouchette. Although the new municipality was named after Messines, Belgium (in honour of the Canadians who fought there during World War I), it was misspelled as Messine (no "s") when incorporated. It was not until 1986 when this was officially corrected.[1] The first municipal council was elected in 1921 with Louis Lécuyer as its first mayor.[6]

In the middle of the 20th century, Messines was very active in growing potatoes thanks to its sandy soil, ideal for extensive exploitation of this staple.[6] For many years, an important agricultural co-operative was formed between the local and regional farmers of the day. The original main building of the co-op today houses a sawmill. During the second half of the century, the municipality’s economy gradually changed to tourism and cottagers, thanks to the presence of its magnificent lakes. Some of the more popular ones are: Blue Sea Lake, Big Cedar and Little Cedar Lakes. There are also many forested areas which allow for outdoor activities throughout the year. Today, the municipality is also known for its hunting and fishing territories, and for a wide variety of recreational activities available all year long.[6]

Demographics

Canada census – Messines, Quebec community profile
20212016
Population1,655 (+2.9% from 2016)1,609 (+0.1% from 2011)
Land area110.11 km2 (42.51 sq mi)111.97 km2 (43.23 sq mi)
Population density15.0/km2 (39/sq mi)14.4/km2 (37/sq mi)
Median age52.8 (M: 53.6, F: 52.8)50.8 (M: 50.9, F: 50.8)
Private dwellings1,047 (total)  1,057 (total) 
Median household income$68,500$57,152
References: 2021[7] 2016[8] earlier[9][10]
Historical census populations – Messines, Quebec
YearPop.±%
1976 993—    
1981 1,164+17.2%
1986 1,177+1.1%
1991 1,249+6.1%
1996 1,517+21.5%
YearPop.±%
2001 1,322−12.9%
2006 1,610+21.8%
2011 1,608−0.1%
2016 1,609+0.1%
2021 1,655+2.9%
Source: Statistics Canada[11]

Local government

List of former mayors:

  • Ronald Cross 2001–present
  • Normand St-Jacques 1997-2001
  • Ronald Cross 1993-1997
  • Marc Beaulieu 1987-1993
  • Joseph Mayer 1985-1987
  • Marcel Lévesque 1983-1985
  • Léo Lafontaine 1978-1983
  • Viateur Saumure 1977-1978
  • Jean-Louis Latourelle 1972-1977
  • Rolland Jolivette 1971-1972
  • Jean-Paul Dault 1968-1971
  • Rolland Jolivette 1965-1968
  • Oscar St-Jacques 1961-1965
  • Ludger Beaudoin 1953-1961
  • Alexandre Lafrenière 1951-1953
  • Oscar St-Jacques 1947-1951
  • Alexandre Lafrenière 1945-1947
  • Anastase Saumure 1943-1945
  • Frank Nault 1942-1943
  • Alexandre Lafrenière 1937-1941
  • Louis Lécuyer 1935-1937
  • Alexandre Lafrenière 1933-1935
  • Ernest Noël 1931-1933
  • Harmidas Latourelle 1929-1931
  • Louis Corbeil 1928-1929
  • Louis Lécuyer 1926-1927
  • Louis Corbeil 1923-1926
  • Louis Lécuyer 1921-1923

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Banque de noms de lieux du Québec: Reference number 177564". toponymie.gouv.qc.ca (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec.
  2. 1 2 "Répertoire des municipalités: Geographic code 83060". www.mamh.gouv.qc.ca (in French). Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation.
  3. 1 2 "Messines, Municipalité (MÉ) Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  4. ↑ Aéroport intermunicipal de Maniwaki - Ville de Maniwaki
  5. ↑ Maniwaki airport - La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau Regional County Municipality
  6. 1 2 3 "À propos de la Municipalité de Messines". www.messines.ca. Municipalité de Messines. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  8. ↑ "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  9. ↑ "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
  10. ↑ "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
  11. ↑ 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 census

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