Macamic, Quebec, is a charming town nestled in the northwestern part of Canada. It is part of the Abitibi-Ouest Regional County Municipality and spans over 202 km². According to the 2021 Canadian census, Macamic is home to 2,744 residents. The town is beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Macamic, from which it derives its name. Besides the main town, Macamic's territory also encompasses the community of Colombourg.
The history of Macamic, Quebec, dates back to the completion of the National Transcontinental Railway through the Abitibi region. The first settlers arrived around 1913, hailing from Saint-Ignace-du-Lac, Pierreville, Stanfold, Nicolet, and Shawinigan. They established their homes south of Lake Macamic, and the new settlement was named after the lake, often spelled as Makamik.
The name Makamik originates from the Algonquin language, translating to "limping beaver". This term is derived from 'makis' meaning crippled or disabled, and 'amik' referring to a beaver. By 1914, Makamik was home to 100 residents. The population grew to 300 by 1915, the year the post office was established. The following year, the Parish of Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste-de-Macamic was formed, and the population had increased to 500. By 1918, the population had surged to 1,750, and the area was incorporated as the United Township Municipality of Royal-Roussillon-et-Poularies.
In 1919, the village separated from the united township and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Macamic. By 1920, the population had reached 2,300. In 1924, Poularies Township also separated from Royal-Roussillon-et-Poularies, which became the Parish Municipality of Royal-Roussillon-de-Macamic in 1952, and was officially shortened to just Macamic in 1961. In 1955, the Village Municipality of Macamic changed its status to a town (ville), and was regrouped with the Parish Municipality of Macamic on June 13, 2001, to form the new Town of Macamic. On March 2, 2002, the Municipality of Colombourg (incorporated in 1926) was merged into Macamic.
The 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada reported that Macamic had a population of 2,744 living in 1,142 of its 1,188 total private dwellings. This represented a slight decrease of -0.3% from its 2016 population of 2,751. With a land area of 202.05 km2 (78.01 sq mi), Macamic had a population density of 13.6/km2 (35.2/sq mi) in 2021.
The mother tongue distribution in Macamic, Quebec, as of 2021, was as follows:
Macamic, Quebec, with its rich history and vibrant community, is a fascinating destination for those interested in exploring the cultural and historical aspects of Canada.
