Chapais, a community nestled in the Canadian province of Quebec, is a hidden gem with a rich history and a resilient spirit. Located on Route 113 near Chibougamau in the Jamésie region, Chapais is surrounded by the local municipality of Eeyou Istchee James Bay, though it is not a part of it. The community was first settled in 1929, following the discovery of copper, silver, and gold deposits by prospector Léo Springer. Named after Thomas Chapais, it was officially incorporated as a city in 1955.
The community's mine was operated by Opémisca Copper Mines until 1991. With the closure of the mines, Chapais transitioned to forestry as its primary industry. The community also opened the first cogeneration plant in Quebec, producing electricity from the sawmill's waste matter.
Chapais, Quebec, has also faced its share of tragedy. On the night of January 1, 1980, a devastating fire destroyed the Opémiska Community Hall, claiming the lives of 48 people and injuring 50 others. This fire, which started in wreaths of dried branches and other Christmas decorations, was the worst to occur in Quebec for over 40 years. Despite the tragedy, the community's resilience shone through, and Chapais continues to thrive.
The community's efforts to keep it alive in the face of economic decline were profiled in the 2013 documentary film "Waiting for Spring" (En attendant le printemps).
Chapais, Quebec, is not just known for its history and resilience, but also for its geographical significance. A crater on Mars is named after this community, highlighting its impact beyond Earth.
Chapais experiences a marginal subarctic climate (Koppen: Dfc), slightly colder than the humid continental (Koppen: Dfb) areas to the south. While winters can be bitterly cold, summers are relatively warm during the daytime, though nights remain relatively cool. The yearly mean temperature is just above freezing, with high rainfall in the summers and snowy winters.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Chapais had a population of 1,468 living in 648 of its 711 total private dwellings, a change of -2.1% from its 2016 population of 1,499. With a land area of 62.31 km2 (24.06 sq mi), it had a population density of 23.6/km2 (61.0/sq mi) in 2021.
The community is predominantly French-speaking, with 89.5% of the population reporting French as their first language. English is the first language for 3.7% of the population, while 1% are bilingual in English and French. Other languages make up 5.1% of the first languages spoken in Chapais, Quebec.
