Val-d'Or (/ˈvældɔːr/ VAL-dor,[7] French: [val dɔʁ], locally [val dɑɔ̯ʁ]; meaning "Golden Valley" or "Valley of Gold") is a city in Quebec, Canada with a population of 32,752 inhabitants according to the 2021 Canadian census. The city is located in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region near La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve.
Val-d'Or | |
|---|---|
 Val-d'Or city | |
 Location within La Vallée-de-l'Or RCM | |
  Val-d'Or Location in western Quebec | |
| Coordinates: 48°06′N 77°47′W / 48.100°N 77.783°W[1][2] | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Abitibi-Témiscamingue |
| RCM | La Vallée-de-l'Or |
| Constituted | January 1, 2002 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Céline Brindamour |
| • Federal riding | Abitibi—Baie-James— Nunavik—Eeyou |
| • Prov. riding | Abitibi-Est |
| Area | |
| • City | 3,979.63 km2 (1,536.54 sq mi) |
| • Land | 3,536.84 km2 (1,365.58 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 25.17 km2 (9.72 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 3,539.98 km2 (1,366.79 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 306 m (1,004 ft) |
| Population (2021)[4] | |
| • City | 32,752 |
| • Density | 9.3/km2 (24/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 25,473 |
| • Urban density | 1,011.9/km2 (2,621/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 34,037 |
| • Metro density | 9.6/km2 (25/sq mi) |
| • Pop (2016-21) |  0.8% |
| • Dwellings | 15,884 |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) |
| Postal code(s) | |
| Area code(s) | 819/873 |
| Highways |  R-111  R-113  R-117 (TCH)  R-397 |
| Website | www |
History
edit
Gold was discovered in the area in 1923. The name of the town is French for "Valley of Gold." While gold is still mined in the area today, base metals, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) have become increasingly important resources. The ore is usually found in volcanic rocks that were deposited on the sea floor over 2.7 billion years ago. They are referred to as volcanic-hosted (or volcanogenic) massive sulphide deposits (VMS).[2]
The city is known for its vast parks, cycle tracks, and forests. Some other attractions include the City of Gold and the mining village of Bourlamaque, which were officially proclaimed historic sites in 1979.
The city hosted the Quebec Games in 1987. The local hockey team, the Val-d'Or Foreurs, have played in the QMJHL since 1993, winning the league championship in 1998, 2001 and 2014 to claim a spot in the Memorial Cup. They play at Centre Air Creebec. The Foreurs' mascot is called Dynamit, named after dynamite which was extensively used by the mining industry of Val-d'Or.
Val-d'Or was once home to CFS Val-d'Or, a Canadian Forces Station.
In the municipal reorganizations of January 1, 2002, Val-d'Or was merged with the neighbouring municipalities of Dubuisson, Sullivan, Val-Senneville and Vassan.[2]
The Radio-Canada investigative television program, Enquête, revealed in October 2015 numerous allegations of assault and sexual abuse of local aboriginal women by members of the provincial police, the Sûreté du Québec.[9] The news propelled the town into the national spotlight, causing Québec's Public Safety Minister, Lise Thériault, to suspend the officers and launch an independent investigation led by the Montréal police force.[10]
Geography
editVal-d'Or is situated on the Canadian Shield at an elevation of 1100 feet (330m) above sea level. Although its name refers to a valley ("Val"), the city is actually situated on a vast, slightly undulating plain.
Val-d'Or is at the heart of a vast hydrographic network which includes to the north Lake Blouin, the head water of the Harricana River and to the south Baie Carrière, a reservoir which feeds the Ottawa River.[11]
Climate
editVal-d'Or has a humid continental climate (Köppen Climate Classification Dfb), closely bordering on a subarctic climate (Dfc) with warm, humid summers and severely cold winters. Winters are snowy with a January mean of −17.4 °C (0.7 °F). There are 18.4 days where the temperature will fall below −30 °C (−22.0 °F) although with the wind chill factored in, it can occasionally drop below −40 °C (−40.0 °F).[12] Snowfall totals are heavy, averaging 288 centimetres (113 in) with reliable snow cover from November to April.[12] Summers are warm with a July daily high of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F) though highs reach above 30.0 °C (86.0 °F) an average of 4.3 days per year. Val-d'Or receives 905 millimetres (36 in) of precipitation per year which is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, though precipitation is heaviest during the warmest months. Val-d'Or receives 1853 hours of sunshine per or about 39.5 of possible daylight hours, ranging from a low of 19.2% in November to a high of 52.9% in July.
| Climate data for Val-d'Or (1981−2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 10.6 | 11.9 | 17.9 | 29.0 | 39.3 | 46.0 | 47.9 | 41.5 | 39.9 | 31.5 | 20.8 | 16.2 | 47.9 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 9.7 (49.5) |
12.3 (54.1) |
25.0 (77.0) |
28.2 (82.8) |
32.8 (91.0) |
34.0 (93.2) |
36.1 (97.0) |
36.1 (97.0) |
32.2 (90.0) |
26.1 (79.0) |
18.3 (64.9) |
13.7 (56.7) |
36.1 (97.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −10.9 (12.4) |
−7.9 (17.8) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
7.2 (45.0) |
15.9 (60.6) |
21.1 (70.0) |
23.7 (74.7) |
21.9 (71.4) |
16.0 (60.8) |
8.9 (48.0) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
7.3 (45.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −17.4 (0.7) |
−14.7 (5.5) |
−8.1 (17.4) |
1.4 (34.5) |
9.2 (48.6) |
14.6 (58.3) |
17.5 (63.5) |
15.9 (60.6) |
10.5 (50.9) |
4.4 (39.9) |
−4.1 (24.6) |
−12.5 (9.5) |
1.4 (34.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −23.9 (−11.0) |
−21.4 (−6.5) |
−14.7 (5.5) |
−4.5 (23.9) |
2.5 (36.5) |
7.9 (46.2) |
11.3 (52.3) |
9.8 (49.6) |
5.0 (41.0) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
−8.3 (17.1) |
−18.0 (−0.4) |
−4.5 (23.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −43.9 (−47.0) |
−42.2 (−44.0) |
−36.1 (−33.0) |
−26.1 (−15.0) |
−11.1 (12.0) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−6.2 (20.8) |
−13.3 (8.1) |
−30.0 (−22.0) |
−40.6 (−41.1) |
−43.9 (−47.0) |
| Record low wind chill | −55.2 | −53.5 | −47.2 | −32.8 | −18.7 | −9.2 | 0.0 | −2.9 | −10.0 | −18.3 | −36.0 | −50.1 | −55.2 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 51.7 (2.04) |
39.3 (1.55) |
58.6 (2.31) |
66.4 (2.61) |
85.1 (3.35) |
90.4 (3.56) |
97.4 (3.83) |
93.5 (3.68) |
94.8 (3.73) |
83.7 (3.30) |
83.9 (3.30) |
60.4 (2.38) |
905.1 (35.63) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 5.6 (0.22) |
4.2 (0.17) |
16.5 (0.65) |
35.3 (1.39) |
82.3 (3.24) |
90.3 (3.56) |
97.4 (3.83) |
93.5 (3.68) |
93.3 (3.67) |
70.8 (2.79) |
40.9 (1.61) |
9.4 (0.37) |
639.4 (25.17) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 52.2 (20.6) |
39.6 (15.6) |
44.3 (17.4) |
29.9 (11.8) |
2.6 (1.0) |
0.07 (0.03) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.5 (0.6) |
12.6 (5.0) |
46.6 (18.3) |
58.8 (23.1) |
288.1 (113.4) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 18.3 | 15.6 | 14.4 | 13.8 | 14.3 | 14.4 | 15.1 | 14.5 | 16.6 | 17.8 | 20.6 | 21.4 | 196.8 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 2.1 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 8.9 | 13.7 | 14.4 | 15.3 | 14.4 | 16.6 | 13.8 | 7.7 | 2.7 | 115.1 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 18.2 | 14.9 | 12.6 | 8.3 | 1.7 | 0.27 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 6.9 | 16.3 | 20.9 | 101.0 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 86.5 | 124.4 | 162.3 | 177.8 | 220.7 | 243.0 | 255.9 | 227.2 | 139.9 | 99.0 | 53.7 | 62.9 | 1,853.4 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 31.5 | 43.3 | 44.1 | 43.5 | 47.0 | 50.7 | 52.9 | 51.3 | 37.0 | 29.4 | 19.2 | 24.0 | 39.5 |
| Source: Environment Canada[12] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
editIn the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Val-d'Or had a population of 32,752 living in 15,033 of its 15,884 total private dwellings, a change of 0.8% from its 2016 population of 32,491. With a land area of 3,536.84 km2 (1,365.58 sq mi), it had a population density of 9.3/km2 (24.0/sq mi) in 2021.[4]
| 2021 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,752 (+0.8% from 2016) | 32,491 (+2.0% from 2011) |
| Land area | 3,536.84 km2 (1,365.58 sq mi) | 3,550.70 km2 (1,370.93 sq mi) |
| Population density | 9.3/km2 (24/sq mi) | 9.2/km2 (24/sq mi) |
| Median age | 43.2 (M: 42.0, F: 44.0) | 42.5 (M: 41.4, F: 43.8) |
| Private dwellings | 15,884 (total) 15,033 (occupied) | 15,352 (total) 14,565 (occupied) |
| Median household income | $75,500 | $64,864 |
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| Population counts are not adjusted for boundary changes. Source: Statistics Canada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mother Tongue (2021):[4]
- English: 2.6%
- French: 93.3%
- English and French: 1.1%
- Other only: 2.4%
Economy
edit
Air Creebec, a regional airline, has its headquarters in Val-d'Or and the Val-d'Or Airport serves as its hub.[17]
Val-d'Or's proximity to the Abitibi gold belt has made it a large gold producer, being part of a region that produced 45 million ounces of gold since the 1930s.[18][19]
In 2012, Quebec Lithium Corp. re-opened a lithium mine which had operated as an underground mine from 1955–65, planning to carve an open pit mine over pegmatite dikes. the mine is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) north of Val d'Or, 38 kilometres (24 mi) southeast of Amos, and 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) km west of Barraute. Access to the mine is via paved road from Val d'Or.[20]
A Canadian National Railway line passes through the community. The Val-d'Or station formerly served CN and VIA Rail Canada passenger trains.[21][22][23]
Transit and paratransit services within Val-d'Or are provided by a contractor.[24] Intercity bus service from and to Val-d'Or is provided by Autobus Maheux. Autobus Maheux (Q111902254)
Government
editCity council (as of 2022):[25]
- Mayor: Céline Brindamour
- Councillors: Maxime Gagné, Benjamin Turcotte, Èveline Laverdière, Martin Lavoie, Jean St-Jules, Sylvie Hébert, Lisyane Morin, Yvon Rodrigue
List of former mayors since 2002 amalgamation:
- Fernand Trahan (2002–2013)
- Pierre Corbeil (2013–2021)
- Céline Brindamour (2021–present)
Education
editThe Centre de services scolaire de l'Or-et-des-Bois operates French-language public schools, while the Western Quebec School Board operates English-language public schools.
The city also hosts campuses of Cégep de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue and of UQAT.
Media
editAlmost all media in Val-d'Or and the nearby city of Rouyn-Noranda serves both cities. Although the cities are far enough apart that radio and television stations in the area serve the cities from separate transmitters, almost every broadcast station in either city has a rebroadcaster in the other city. The only nominal exceptions are the cities' separate Énergie stations, although at present even these stations share the majority of their broadcast schedule.
Notable people
edit- Yolette Lévy (1938–2018), Haitian-born Canadian politician and activist
- Serge Aubin, hockey player
- Dany Bédar, musician and singer
- Pierre Brassard, actor and comedian
- Lucien Cliche, politician
- Boom Desjardins, singer
- Raôul Duguay, singer and poet
- Sophie Dupuis, director
- Robin L'Houmeau, actor
- Anthony Mantha, hockey player
- Dany Sabourin, hockey player
- Diane Tell, singer
- Pierre Yergeau, writer
See also
edit- Parc Roland-Veillet, a public park
- List of towns in Quebec
References
edit- ^ "Val-d'Or". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
- ^ a b c "Val-d'Or (Ville)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
- ^ a b "Répertoire des municipalités: Geographic code 89008". www.mamh.gouv.qc.ca (in French). Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation.
- ^ a b c d "Val-d'Or, Ville (V) [Census subdivision] census profile". 2021 Census data. Statistics Canada. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
- ^ a b "Val-d'Or [Population centre] Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Val-d'Or Quebec [Census agglomeration] census profile". 2021 Census data. Statistics Canada. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-08.. The census agglomeration includes the Indian reserve of Lac-Simon.
- ^ "Val-d'Or". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ « L'homme de Neawigak : et autres histoires algonquine » de Joseph 'Josie' Mathias, ISBN 2-920579-12-6. Fiche sur le site de la [dead link]
- ^ "Aboriginal women's claims of police sex abuse under investigation". CBC News. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
- ^ "Quebec police officers put on leave pending sex abuse investigation". CBC News. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
- ^ "Unknown".[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c "Val-D'Or A". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. Archived from the original on 2020-07-17. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
- ^ "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
- ^ "Contact Us Archived 2008-01-22 at the Wayback Machine." Air Crebeec. Retrieved on May 29, 2009.
- ^ "titan resources plans exploration of abitibi gold belt, val d'or property". 2010-02-10.
- ^ "malartic val d'or projects". Retrieved 2010-05-03.
- ^ "Quebec Lithium". Canada Lithium Corp. Archived from the original on 2013-03-10. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
- ^ Dionne, Yves (1986). "Abitibi : gare aux gares!". Continuité (in French) (30): 36. ISSN 0714-9476.
- ^ "Railway stations in Val d'Or Quebec". www.canada-rail.com. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Gare de Val-d'Or | Le monde en images - des collections pour l'éducation". monde.ccdmd.qc.ca. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Transport collectif". Ville de Val-d’Or (in French). 2024-06-19. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Conseil municipal".
External links
edit
- Municipal website (in French)