Marsoui, Quebec

Marsoui is a village municipality in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region of Quebec, Canada.

Marsoui
Village municipality
Church in Marsoui
Church in Marsoui
Location within La Haute-Gaspésie RCM.
Location within La Haute-Gaspésie RCM.
Marsoui is located in Eastern Quebec
Marsoui
Marsoui
Location in eastern Quebec.
Coordinates: 49°13′N 66°04′W[1]
Country Canada
Province Quebec
RegionGaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
RCMLa Haute-Gaspésie
Settled1830s
ConstitutedJanuary 1, 1950
Government
[2]
 • MayorGhislain Deschenes
 • Federal ridingHaute-Gaspésie—La
Mitis—Matane—Matapédia
 • Prov. ridingGaspé
Area
[2][3]
 • Total177.10 km2 (68.38 sq mi)
 • Land181.75 km2 (70.17 sq mi)
 There is an apparent
contradiction between two
authoritative sources
Population
 (2016)[4]
 • Total275
 • Density1.5/km2 (4/sq mi)
 • Pop 2011-2016
Decrease 11%
 • Dwellings
182
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
G0E 1S0
Area code(s)418 and 581
Highways R-132
Websitewww.marsoui.com

The name Marsoui is thought to originate from the Mi'kmaq word malseoui, meaning "flint" which is abundant in the area. However, another theory explains that it comes from the French word marsouin, the vernacular term for porpoise or beluga whale that used to be present in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in large numbers. Alternate spellings used over time were Marsouis, Marsoin, and Marsouins.[1]

History
Two snowcats in front of Marsoui Hotel ca. 1949

While the beluga hunt and cod fishing was popular in this area during the late 17th century, it was not until 1836 that the first permanent settlers, the Henley family of Mont-Louis, arrived. They were followed by people from Jersey.[1]

In 1890, the Mission of Sainte-Émélie-de-Marsoui was founded there, and 3 years later, the local post office opened.[1] Subsistence fishing was the main economic activity until 1911. Then a small saw mill was built that started the transformation to a forestry-based economy. Over the following decades, several saw mills burnt down and were rebuilt.[5]

During the Prohibition era in the United States, Marsoui was a favorite hideout for smugglers fleeing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.[1]

In 1923, the villages of Marsoui and Rivière-à-la-Marthe separated from the municipality of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to form the Township Municipality of Christie. In turn, Marsoui separated from this township in 1950 to be incorporated as a village municipality. Its first mayor was Alphonse Couturier, whose company had built a large saw mill in Marsoui in 1940.[6]

From 1945 to 1954, a lead and zinc mine operated about 21 kilometres (13 mi) southwest of Marsoui.[5]

Demographics
Historical Census Data - Marsoui, Quebec[7]
YearPop.±%
1991 475—    
1996 440−7.4%
2001 373−15.2%
2006 341−8.6%
2011 309−9.4%
2016 275−11.0%

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Marsoui had a population of 289 living in 149 of its 179 total private dwellings, a change of 5.1% from its 2016 population of 275. With a land area of 181.4 km2 (70.0 sq mi), it had a population density of 1.6/km2 (4.1/sq mi) in 2021.[8]

Canada census – Marsoui community profile
20162011
Population275 (-11.0% from 2011)309 (-9.4% from 2006)
Land area181.75 km2 (70.17 sq mi)183.63 km2 (70.90 sq mi)
Population density1.5/km2 (3.9/sq mi)1.7/km2 (4.4/sq mi)
Median age57.2 (M: 56.2, F: 57.7)55.2 (M: 55.1, F: 55.3)
Private dwellings182 (total)  177 (total) 
Median household income$48,768$55,296
References: 2016[9] 2011[10] earlier[11][12]

Mother tongue language (2016)[13]

Language Population Pct (%)
French only 270 98.2%
English only 0 0.0%
Both English and French 0 0.0%
Other languages 5 1.8%

Economy

The primary industry of Marsoui is forestry. The Bois Marsoui GDS mill supports 60% of its population. There is also a small tourism industry, including 2 commercial sugar houses. Other businesses provide local commercial and public services.[14][15]

See also

References
  1. "Marsoui (Municipalité de village)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
  2. "Marsoui". Répertoire des municipalités (in French). Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire. Archived from the original on 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  3. "Census Profile, 2016 Census - Marsoui, Village [Census subdivision], Quebec and Brome-Missisquoi, Municipalité régionale de comté [Census division], Quebec". 8 February 2017.
  4. "Census Profile, 2016 Census - Marsoui, Village [Census subdivision], Quebec and Brome-Missisquoi, Municipalité régionale de comté [Census division], Quebec". 8 February 2017.
  5. "Economie, historique" (in French). Municipalité de Marsoui. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
  6. "Municipalité, historique" (in French). Municipalité de Marsoui. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
  7. Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 census
  8. "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Quebec". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  9. "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  10. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
  11. "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
  12. "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
  13. 2016 Statistics Canada Community Profile: Marsoui, Quebec
  14. "Municipalité de Marsoui" (in French). MRC de La Haute-Gaspésie. Retrieved 2011-12-19.
  15. "Marsoui" (in French). Gaspésie et des Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Retrieved 2011-12-19.



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