Québec City

Québec City, the capital of the province of QUÉBEC, is located on the north shore of the ST LAWRENCE RIVER where it meets the Rivière Saint-Charles. Here the St Lawrence narrows to a width of just over 1 km and navigation is made difficult by a group of islands, the largest of which is ÎLE D'ORLÉANS. Cap-Diamant, a promontory with an elevation of 98 m, dominates the site and was used effectively as a fortification, earning Québec City the name "Gibraltar of North America." The name "Québec" is probably derived from an Algonquian word meaning "narrowing of the river."

Settlement For several thousand years prior to the arrival of the Europeans, the site of Québec City was occupied by native hunters and fishermen. In 1535 Jacques CARTIER discovered a fairly large Iroquoian village, STADACONA, whose 1000 or so inhabitants lived from fishing, hunting and the cultivation of corn. Sometime between 1543 and 1608, when Samuel de CHAMPLAIN arrived at the site, the Stadaconans had disappeared and been replaced by the occasional nomadic Algonquians, likely MONTAGNAIS-NASKAPI.

With a mandate from the king of France, Cartier wintered near Stadacona in 1535-36 and returned in 1541-42, spending a difficult winter at Cap Rouge, a few kilometres upriver, before heading home with barrels of worthless minerals (see DIAMONDS OF CANADA). Jean-François de la Rocque ROBERVAL (1542-1543) spent the following winter at Cap Rouge, but the failure of these early expeditions diminished French interest in the area, and a permanent settlement was not established until 1608 when Champlain founded a trading post. The post was captured by the KIRKE brothers in 1629 but was restored to the French by the Treaty of SAINT-GERMAIN in 1632. The town successfully repulsed assaults by Sir William PHIPS in 1690, was conquered by the British in 1759, and later resisted an attempt by a large American force in 1775-76.

Development
Québec City's strategic location on the St Lawrence River determined the nature of its development. In the age of sail, it held a dominant position as a port of entry and exit for ocean-going vessels. It quickly became the transfer port for domestic and foreign trade (especially furs and timber) and the arrival and departure point for travellers and immigrants to North America. From the beginning, its location made Québec City a political, administrative and military centre.

The long delay in establishing a rail link to the city, the technological developments in ocean-going vessels that enabled them to bypass the city and navigate directly to MONTRÉAL, and finally the shift of population and the economy westward, all tended to reduce Québec City's importance in the mid-19th century. Despite repeated efforts, the city was unable to maintain its earlier position as a focus of economic production and trade, and it gradually became a provincial and regional administrative centre.

Between 1960 and 1980, the considerable growth of the provincial government accelerated the growth of the city and its suburbs and gave added emphasis to the relative importance of its administrative function. However, since the 1980s, and especially in the 1990s, this trend levelled off somewhat due to cuts in government services. The city has also continued to develop as a centre for TOURISM.

Cityscape
In the 17th century, the inhabitants of Québec City first occupied the narrow strip of land between the promontory and the port (Lower Town), and then the promontory itself, following in the wake of the religious institutions and colonial administration that occupied Upper Town. This expansion was strongly influenced by the construction of and improvements to the town's FORTIFICATIONS, which were established principally in the Upper Town but also on the banks of the river. (See Québec Citadel).

The fortifications and military barracks occupied a considerable area and restricted the establishment of a residential civilian population, which was already limited by the development of religious institutions (the Bishop's Palace, the cathedral, the seminary, colleges and convents, the HÔTEL-DIEU and the Château Saint-Louis). Lower Town was for many years the residential and commercial centre. Both parts form the core of the old city, which is still well preserved and has been partially reconstructed as part of the PLACE ROYALE project.

At the end of the French regime, Lower Town stretched along the port toward the Intendant's Palace, to the north of the promontory. During the 19th century, the town broke out of its fortified confines and stretched westwards on the promontory, along the banks of the Rivière Saint-Charles and to the foot of the north face of the promontory. These new parts of town were often built hastily and of wood, and fell victim to a number of major fires (Saint-Roch, 1845; Saint-Sauveur, 1866, 1870 and 1889; and Saint-Jean-Baptiste, 1845, 1876 and 1881). The result was major reconstruction and improved protective infrastructures (water supply, firefighting services, etc).

Growth to the west and north of the city has been even more substantial in the 20th century, particularly since the 1950s. The small parishes in outlying areas grew quickly as both residential and commercial cities: Sillery, SAINTE-FOY, Charlesbourg, Cap-Rouge, Ancienne Lorette, etc. Although the downtown area was quite radically transformed with the appearance of private and governmental buildings and a few major hotels, the historic character of the old city has been largely preserved and the modern buildings blend quite well with the characteristic landscape of Québec City: the promontory, fortifications, Château Frontenac, Parliament Buildings, Rivière Saint-Charles, the Port and the Québec Bridge. The preservation of its fortifications gives Québec City the distinction of being the only walled city in North America.

Population
Although Québec City was the capital of the French empire in North America in the days of NEW FRANCE, for many years it was little more than a large village. In 1608 it had 28 inhabitants and by the time of the CONQUEST in 1759 its population only slightly exceeded 8000. Growth was rapid in the first half of the 19th century and by 1861 it numbered nearly 60 000 inhabitants. The growth resulted from the economic expansion associated mainly with the TIMBER TRADE and the important political and administrative activities centered in the city.

Québec City was also both the entry and transit port for the substantial annual influx of immigrants heading towards UPPER CANADA and the rest of North America. In some years the city's population doubled during the summer, causing many attendant problems such as EPIDEMICS and drunkenness.

As a result of the gradual but significant slowdown in the timber trade and SHIPBUILDING in the second half of the 19th century, the population of the city remained relatively stable until the early 20th century. In fact, the Lower and Upper Town experienced a decline as people moved to the new areas, particularly Saint-Roch. The overall population increase in a 40-year period, 1861 to 1901, was only 14.7% (60 000 to 68 840).

Besides experiencing unfavourable economic conditions, the old city lacked residential space; only with the amalgamation of small outlying municipalities did its population begin to grow at the beginning of the 20th century. Metropolitan Québec nevertheless grew more rapidly from the 1950s until the end of the 1970s. In the early 1980s this growth again slowed, partly as a result of stabilization of growth in the province overall.

The population is now 167 264 (CMA, 671 889, 1996c). Metropolitan Québec includes, among its largest municipalities, Charlesbourg (pop 70 942), Sainte-Foy (pop 72 330), BEAUPORT (pop 72 920), LÉVIS (pop 40 407) and Val-Bélair (pop 20 176).

Prior to the Conquest, Québec City's population had been French. But in the early 19th century this changed with the influx of British immigrants. In 1851 the city's population reached a maximum of 43% British and other groups, which decreased slightly to 41% in 1861. This high proportion dropped rapidly as immigration to Québec City stopped and as many British immigrants moved to other parts of Canada and to the US. By 1871 the percentage of non-francophones had fallen to 31.5%, by 1921 to 10%, to 6% in 1971 and finally, by 1996, to 5% for the city and 3% for the metropolitan area. Thus, the city has regained its essentially French character.

Economy, Transportation and Labour Force
The early economy of Québec City was directly dependent upon its activities as a transit port for basic products exported to Europe (furs, cereals and lumber) and for imported manufactured products. The considerable expansion of this trade enabled Québec City to maintain a relatively competitive position with Montréal as the major trading centre of the province until the mid-19th century.

At that time, the commercial position of Québec City was seriously affected by the decline in the timber trade and the shift from raw timber to lumber, the development of railway networks that bypassed it (the GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY passed on the south shore opposite the city), the weakness of the city's hinterland, the dredging of the St Lawrence River between Québec City and Montréal, the expansion of economic relations with the US, and the impact of technological change on trade and transportation. Montréal rapidly acquired a dominant position in the second half of the 19th century in trade and finance, transportation and industry.

Québec City's middle class, which was already declining in numbers, attempted to maintain its position but failed. It struggled to attract the transcontinental railways, such as the Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa and Occident Railway as part of the Canadian Pacific Railway (which in 1879 was the first railway to reach the city), the NATIONAL TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY and the CANADIAN NORTHERN RAILWAY, and to have them adopt the port of Québec City as their ocean terminal.

Efforts were also made to have the 2 shores of the river connected by a bridge. The Québec Bridge (1900-1917) is still the largest cantilevered bridge in the world, but experienced serious construction difficulties in 1907 and 1916 (see also QUÉBEC BRIDGE DISASTERS). The bridge actually helped promote the circulation of products to ports farther east. A second bridge, the Pierre-Laporte, was built in 1970. It is a suspension bridge, located a few hundred metres from the earlier one.

In the middle of the 19th century, the city went through an industrial revolution, particularly in the FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY, which gradually became the largest source of employment for the region. However, the city was unable to maintain growth in its manufacturing sector and the footwear industry declined in the 1920s. Even though various other concerns appeared and disappeared and offered employment to a significant number of people, they did not manage to diversify the city's industrial base. These enterprises included shipbuilding, breweries, textiles and clothing and pulp and paper.

Most jobs in Québec City are concentrated in public administration, defence, the service industry, commerce, and transport. Only around 10% of jobs are in manufacturing. The city benefits from its status as the provincial capital and the regional administrative and services centre. It also attracts an increasing number of tourists.

Government and Politics
From 1765 to 1833 and from 1835 to 1840, the city was administered by a commission of justices of the peace appointed by the governor and composed largely of landowners, French-Canadian professionals and British merchants. The commission was responsible for ensuring that the orders of the legislature of LOWER CANADA were respected. Following pressure from the local population, Québec City received its first municipal charter in 1833. This lasted until 1835 and a second was issued in 1840. These charters established an elected municipal council with the power to adopt regulations in their area of jurisdiction.

From 1833 to 1856 and 1870 to 1908 the mayor was elected by the reeves and councillors, and then directly by citizens (property owners and tenants) by secret ballot from 1856 to 1870 and after 1908. Furthermore, the number of reeves, councillors and districts changed on many occasions as a result of annexations, in particular those of Saint-Sauveur (1889), Saint-Malo (1908), Limoilou (1909), Montcalm (1913), Notre-Dame-des-Anges (1924), Les Saules (1969), Duberger (1970), Neufchatel (1971) and Charlesbourg Ouest (1973).

Currently, 20 councillors are elected by universal suffrage. Formed in 1970, the urban community of Québec City includes 13 municipalities on the north shore and is responsible for planning, property evaluation and industrial and tourism promotion.

The role played by Québec City as a "national" capital until 1840 (and subsequently 1851-55 and 1859-65 during the Union period) and as a provincial capital since 1867 has given it a special relationship with national, provincial and municipal politicians - so much so, in fact, that with the exception of a few businessmen prior to 1870, most of the city's mayors have also been involved in political careers at higher levels before, after and even during their mandates. One of the most famous mayors, Simon-Napoléon PARENT (1894-1906), was also Minister of Lands and Forests (1897-1905) and premier of Québec (1900-05). A Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec was established in 1995 to promote and develop all facets of Québec City as a "national" capital.

Cultural Life
The city remains a major centre of French culture and the seat of the only francophone government in North America. In addition to conserving these traditions, it has managed to maintain a greater cultural homogeneity than Montréal, the other major pole of French culture.

Its teaching institutions include the SÉMINAIRE DE QUÉBEC (1668) and UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL (1852). Until 1920 the latter was the only francophone university in the province; its satellite campus in Montréal, founded in 1876, became an independent university known as the Université de Montréal (1920). This situation often produced acrimony within the ranks of the clergy and in provincial political circles. Long located in the old city, from the 1950s on, the university gradually moved to the suburbs.

The historical character of Québec City is reflected in the architecture of the old city, which has been the subject of major restorations and has become the site of exceptional museums. In 1985 this part of the city was recognized as a UNITED NATIONS WORLD HERITAGE SITE. The municipal, provincial and federal governments have combined their efforts to restore Place Royale, Artillery Park and the fortifications (QuÉébec Citadel, walls, gates, south shore forts), the Old Port, the Voûtes du Palais, the Séminaire de Québec, a number of private religious museums, the Musée de la civilisation (1988), and the Musée de l'Amérique française (1806, 1993). Québec City was chosen in 1993 as host for the general secretariat of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

The MUSÉE DU QUÉBEC (1933) contains collections of ancient and modern works and is part of a large urban park, the Plains of Abraham, or Parc des Champs-de-Bataille (1908), which commemorates the battle leading to the fall of the city in 1759 and ultimately of New France to the British army a year later. There is also a zoological garden in Orsainville, north of the city, an aquarium near the Québec Bridge, and the Grand Théâtre de Québec (1971), home of the ORCHESTRE SYMPHONIQUE DE QUÉBEC.

A number of downhill and cross-country ski centres, including MONT SAINTE-ANNE, Stoneham, and Lac-Beauport, are located within a few minutes of the city. After having excellent minor league hockey teams for many years, Québec finally entered the realm of major league hockey with the QUÉBEC NORDIQUES (1972), who were members of the NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE (NHL) from 1979 to 1995. The team was sold and moved to Denver, Colorado. As the "Avalanche," this team won the Stanley Cup in 1996. The city is also host to an international peewee hockey tournament.

Tourists and residents are attracted by a number of popular events: the Québec Winter Carnival which has been held every February since 1954; the International Summer Festival each July, and a number of major anniversaries, including the 300th in 1908 and the 375th in 1983, and the 450th anniversary of Cartier's arrival in 1984.

Of Québec City's many literary figures, mention should be made of Roger LEMELIN, whose novels depict the working-class districts of the city. Four TV stations serve the city, one of which is English, and there are a number of radio stations and 2 daily newspapers, Le Soleil and the Journal de Québec.

Author MARC VALLIÈRES

Links to Other Sites
Historica-Dominion Institute
The website for the Historica-Dominion Institute, parent organization of The Canadian Encyclopedia and the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. Check out their extensive online feature about the War of 1812, the "Heritage Minutes" video collection, and many other interactive resources concerning Canadian history, culture, and heritage.

Québec City
The official website for Québec City. Includes information about individual boroughs within city boundaries.

United Nations World Heritage Sites
Information about locations in Canada that have been designated United Nations World Heritage Sites. From the United Nations website.

International Council on Monuments and Sites
The website for ICOMOS Canada. See an interactive map that highlights Canada's World Heritage Sites. Also offers news about conferences, articles on heritage issues, and detailed reports about specific heritage projects in Canada.

Battle for a Continent
A brief summary of an episode of CBC's "Canada: A People's History" that examines the historic battles waged by England and France over who would control the North American colonies. Check the links on the right side of the page for additional details.

Plains of Abraham
A concise illustrated history of the Plains of Abraham, the Fortifications, and other famous Québec city landmarks. Click on "Battles of 1759 and 1760" (on the right side) for information about related events. From the National Battlefields Commission.

Museums to Discover
This Société des musées québécois website features an interesting multimedia overview of Quebec museum themes. Includes a directory of Québec museums.

Operation Phips : Archaeological Rescue
This extensive website focuses on the archaeological exploration of a shipwreck dating from the siege of Québec in 1690. A Government of Québec website.

Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site
This Parks Canada site is dedicated to the Fortifications of Québec City. Includes nicely illustrated historical notes about the French and British contributions to the fortifications.

Lévis Forts National Historic Site of Canada
This Parks Canada website is dedicated to the Lévis Forts in the Québec city region. Offers a detailed history of the design of the military armaments and fortifications at this site.

Artillery Park Heritage Site
This Parks Canada site features a brief history of the 18th century military complex in Québec city.

Old Port of Québec Interpretation Centre
This Parks Canada site focuses on the historic role of the port at Québec.

Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada
This Parks Canada site commemorates the Port of Québec’s role as an immigration and quarantine centre from the early 19th century to the First World War. Nicely illustrated and detailed notes about Irish immigration, the typhoid epidemic of 1847 and the achievements of public health official Dr. Frederick Montizambert. Includes a virtual tour of Grosse Île facilities.

Geographical Names of Canada
Search the "Canadian Geographical Names Data Base" for the official name of a city, town, lake (or any other geographical feature) in any province or territory in Canada. See also the real story of how Toronto got its name. A Natural Resources Canada website.

New France, New Horizons
An informative and entertaining multimedia website about the founding and development of New France. Features abundant illustrations, documents and multimedia clips. A Canada/France collaboration.

Musée de la civilisation
Check out the latest exhibits and events at Le Musée de la civilization, Le Musée de l'Amérique française and Place-Royale.

Sir William Phips
A biography of Sir William Phips, sailor, adventurer, and colonial governor. From the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.

Québec Official Road Map
The website for the Québec official road map. From the Government of Québec.

Geoscape Québec
An informative website about the geological heritage of Québec.

Festivals et Événements au Québec
Check out the extensive event listings in the website for Festivals et Événements au Québec.

Morrin Cultural centre - Heritage site
The Morrin Centre fosters English-speaking culture in Quebec City and encourages cultural exchanges in French and English. Their site offers online exhibits and learning resources for students and their teachers. Managed by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec.

François Baillairgé
A brief profile of François Baillairgé, early 19th century Québec architect. From a website about the restoration of the Morrin Centre.

Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives
Check out the digitized archival images of Canadian cities and more at this website for the Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives.

Sir James Henry Craig
A biography of Sir James Henry Craig, army officer and colonial administrator. From the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.

Québec Fortified City: Geological and Historical Heritage
A well-illustrated Geological and Historical Heritage Fieldtrip Guidebook for the fortified City of Québec. See the glossary at the end of this document for a definition of key geological terms. From Natural Resources Canada.

James Pattison Cockburn
See an online image gallery of paintings by artist James Pattison Cockburn. Click on the images for a larger view. From the McCord Museum.

Mise en lumière de l'hôtel Fairmont Château Frontenac
View a nighttime photograph of the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and adjoining fortifications in Québec city.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
The website for the majestic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.

Seven Wonders of Canada
See highlights of the CBC's "Seven Wonders of Canada."