As part of a municipal reorganization across Quebec, the seven communities (Fatima, Grande-Entrée, Grosse-Île, Havre-aux-Maisons, L'Étang-du-Nord, Havre-Aubert, and Cap-aux-Meules) of the Magdalen Islands amalgamated to form the municipality of Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine on January 1, 2002. However, after a 2004 referendum, Grosse-Île decided to split from the municipality, effective January 1, 2006.[3]
Located on Grosse-Île island (French for Big Island) between the villages of Grande-Entrée[broken anchor] (south) and House Harbour[broken anchor] (southwest), it was settled during the late 18th century by Scots. French-speaking people would come and establish themselves just after, as seen by a Catholic parish founded in 1793.
Old Harry is a hamlet and fishing village located within the municipal boundaries of Grosse-Île, which lies at the junction of Île de la Grande Ouverte and Île de l'Est. It was first mapped by Joseph Frederick Wallet Des Barres (1769 and 1776) and later by Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield (1837), where the name was recorded as Old Harry Head. The toponym derives from Scotsman Harry Clarke, who was for many years the only occupant of the cape (or head). Many of his descendants still bear the surname Clarke.
Geography
Grosse-Ile and Entry Island are the two communities where English is the main language spoken, in the field and at sea, the age-old and daily exchanges have created and still create close relationships between the English- and French-speaking communities and individuals of the archipelago.[4]
Notes: 2011 income data for this area has been suppressed for data quality or confidentiality reasons. References: 2021[5] 2016[6] 2011[7] earlier[8][9]
Canada Census Mother Tongue - Grosse-Île, Quebec[10]
Census
Total
French
English
French & English
Other
Year
Responses
Count
Trend
Pop %
Count
Trend
Pop %
Count
Trend
Pop %
Count
Trend
Pop %
2021
465
65
8.3%
14.0%
380
3.8%
81.7%
15
200.0%
3.2%
0
100.0%
0.0%
2016
465
60
20.0%
12.9%
395
8.1%
85.0%
5
50.0%
1.1%
5
n/a
1.1%
2011
490
50
100.0%
10.2%
430
14.9%
87.8%
10
n/a%
2.0%
0
0.0%
0.0%
2006
530
25
66.7%
4.7%
505
9.8%
95.3%
0
0.0%
0.0%
0
0.0%
0.0%
2001
535
75
25.0%
14.0%
460
8.0%
86.0%
0
100.0%
0.0%
0
0.0%
0.0%
1996
570
60
n/a
10.5%
500
n/a
87.7%
10
n/a
1.8%
0
n/a
0.0%
Economy
Quebec's only salt mine is located on Grosse Île, and is operated by Seleine Mines, which is owned by Windsor Salt.
In 1972, the Société Québécoise d’Exploration Minière (SOQUEM)[11] discovered 7 salt domes,[12] including the one at Grosse-Île. In 1982, after investments of C$125 million, Seleine Mines inaugurated an active underground mine on Grosse Île. In 1988, the company was sold to the Canadian Salt Company (Windsor), and in 2009, the mine passed into the hands of the German group K+S and later to Stone Canyon Industries.
About 150 people work at Seleine Mines, and every year, more than 1,300,000 t (1,300,000 long tons; 1,400,000 short tons) metric tons of salt are extracted there, this salt is used for road deicing.
Attractions
Old-Harry (Hamlet),[13] in port, 5 boats pulled on the wood-covered beach (slips) 1996
The Grande Échourie Beach (Former name Old-Harry Beach) stretches over 9 km between Old Harry Point and East Point where is located the Pointe de l'Est National Wildlife Area, with its unique maritime environment, the area is currently used by more than 150 bird species and 10 or so mammal species.[14]'[15] The Pointe de l'Est National Wildlife Area is located on La Grosse Île, the reserve occupies an area of 748 hectares of the village of Grosse-Île territory's
The hamlet of Old-Harry is located on the point of the same name, in the municipality of Grosse-Île, at the junction of Île de la Grande Entrée[broken anchor] and Île de l'Est.[16]
^Stéphanie Arseneau Bussières; Hélène Chevrier (2007). "Socio-economic profile of the Magdalen Islands' English-speaking community". Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. p. 90. Retrieved March 8, 2024. Two linguistic communities have shared the archipelago right from its early settlement: the French- and English-speaking communities.
^"SOQUEM's mineral exploration leader in Quebec". Retrieved March 15, 2024. The company has participated in hundreds of mining projects that have led to major gold, diamond, and lithium discoveries, as well as the finding of various other mineral deposits.
^"Salt deposits in Quebec"(PDF). Énergies et ressources Québec (in French). Ministère de l'Énergie et des Ressources naturelles - Gouvernement du Québec. November 11, 1979. pp. 40 of 42. Retrieved March 15, 2024. Deposit located in salt formations where volcanic and clay facies predominate
^"Sentier vents et marées, carte, étape"(PDF). May 25, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2024. Attractions and services, Grosse-Île Église, food, restaurants, Old Harry Museums, beach, shops, CLSC (first aid).
^"Pointe de l'Est National Wildlife Area". Government of Canada. March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2024. Main habitats are dunes, marshes, ponds, barrens, stunted forests
^"Old-Harry". Commission de toponymie Quebec. Government of Quebec. December 1, 1983. Retrieved March 1, 2024. The hamlet of Old-Harry is located on the point of the same name, in the municipality of Grosse-Île, at the junction of Île de la Grande Entrée and Île de l'Est
.svg)
