Curé Labelle played an important role in the history of the Laurentians, including the development of its railway
May 6, 2022 Saint-Jérôme, Quebec Parks Canada Agency
A prominent figure at the end of the 19th century in Quebec, Antoine Labelle was a Catholic priest who was parish priest of Saint-Jérôme from 1868 to 1891. Nicknamed the "king of the North", he designed a project aimed at establishing French Canadians in the territories of northwestern Quebec, northern Ontario and Manitoba to counter their exodus to the United States. Main architect of the colonization of the Laurentians and promoter of its economic development and its railway network, Labelle participated in the founding of some twenty parishes and in the establishment of nearly 5,000 inhabitants in this region. It has been occupied by various populations for nearly 6,000 years, and is part of the territory of the Algonquins-Anishinabeg.
Today, Ms. Yolande Cohen, representative of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, on behalf of the Government of Canada, commemorated the national historic significance of Curé Antoine Labelle during a special ceremony to unveil a plaque to Saint-Jerome, Quebec.
Born in 1833 in Sainte-Rose (Laval), Lower Canada, Antoine Labelle left home at age 10 to attend the Petit Séminaire de Sainte-Thérèse, where he studied until 1852 and, subsequently, did his theological training. Known as "Curé Labelle," his memory lives on in place names and popular television series.
The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant people, places, and events that shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians and youth connect with their past. The commemoration process is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,000 designations have been made.
National historic sites and designations commemorate all aspects of Canada's history. Designations can lead us to contemplate the complex and challenging times that helped define the Canada of today. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster greater understanding and open discussions about the histories, cultures and realities of Canada's history.
