New Carlisle, Quebec, a quaint town nestled in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region of Quebec, Canada, is a place of historical significance and cultural diversity. Known as the boyhood home of René Lévesque, this town is a blend of anglophone and francophone cultures, with a population of approximately 1,388. Located on the picturesque Baie des Chaleurs, New Carlisle is a must-visit destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
New Carlisle serves as the seat of Bonaventure Regional County Municipality and the judicial district of Bonaventure. It is also the regional base for the Ministry of Transports Quebec, which operates an operations centre on the outskirts of town. The town is well-equipped with a post office, primary and high schools, five different churches, and many other services. However, it's worth noting that Via Rail suspended its operations between Matapédia and New Carlisle around 2010.
The town's site was selected in 1784 by Nicholas Cox, the Lieutenant-Governor of the jurisdictional District of Gaspe. The town was initially named after Cox's hometown, possibly Carlisle in England, but was later changed to "New Carlisle". The original settlers were discharged soldiers of British Army regiments and Loyalist claimants. In 1877, the Township Municipality of Cox was dissolved, leading to the incorporation of the Municipalities of New Carlisle and Paspébiac.
New Carlisle, Quebec, also has a unique place in Canadian history. Senator Theodore Robitallie, a member from Bonaventure County, commissioned the words and music for O'Canada in 1885 during his time in the federal government. Moreover, the town was the scene of the capture of German spy Werner von Janowski, who was dropped from a nearby U-boat in November 1942.
The linguistic diversity of New Carlisle, Quebec, is one of its most distinctive features. English is the first language for 62.8% of the population, while French is the first language for 34.9%. A small percentage of the population, 1.1%, is bilingual, with both English and French as their first language. Another 1.1% of the population speaks a different language as their first language.
