Amqui
title: "Amqui" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1870s-establishments-in-quebec", "populated-places-established-in-the-1870s", "cities-and-towns-in-quebec", "designated-places-in-quebec", "incorporated-places-in-bas-saint-laurent", "la-matapédia-regional-county-municipality"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amqui" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Amqui |
| settlement_type | City |
| image_skyline | Amqui.jpg |
| image_caption | Aerial view of Amqui |
| flag_size | 120x80px |
| image_shield | Blason ville ca Amqui (Quebec).svg |
| shield_size | 100x80px |
| image_map | Amqui Quebec location diagram.png |
| map_caption | Location within La Matapédia RCM. |
| pushpin_map | Canada Eastern Quebec |
| pushpin_map_caption | Location in eastern Quebec. |
| coordinates | |
| coordinates_footnotes | |
| subdivision_type | Country |
| subdivision_name | |
| subdivision_type1 | Province |
| subdivision_name1 | |
| subdivision_type2 | Region |
| subdivision_name2 | Bas-Saint-Laurent |
| subdivision_type3 | RCM |
| subdivision_name3 | La Matapédia |
| established_title | Settled |
| established_date | 1870s |
| established_title1 | Constituted |
| established_date1 | January 16, 1991 |
| government_footnotes | |
| leader_title | Mayor |
| leader_name | Sylvie Blanchette |
| leader_title1 | Federal riding |
| leader_name1 | Rimouski—La Matapédia |
| leader_title2 | Prov. riding |
| leader_name2 | Matane-Matapédia |
| area_footnotes | |
| area_total_km2 | 126.80 |
| area_land_km2 | 120.02 |
| population_footnotes | |
| population_total | 5999 |
| population_as_of | 2021 |
| population_density_km2 | 49.6 |
| population_blank1_title | Pop 2016-2021 |
| population_blank1 | 2.9% |
| population_blank2_title | Dwellings |
| population_blank2 | 3015 |
| timezone | EST |
| utc_offset | −5 |
| timezone_DST | EDT |
| utc_offset_DST | −4 |
| postal_code_type | Postal code(s) |
| postal_code | G5J |
| area_codes | 418 and 581 |
| blank_name | Highways |
| blank_info |
| | website | | ::
| name = Amqui | native_name = | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = Amqui.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = Aerial view of Amqui | image_flag = | flag_size = 120x80px | image_shield = Blason ville ca Amqui (Quebec).svg | shield_size = 100x80px | nickname = | motto = | image_map = Amqui Quebec location diagram.png | map_caption = Location within La Matapédia RCM. | pushpin_map = Canada Eastern Quebec | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_label = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in eastern Quebec. | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes= | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_name2 = Bas-Saint-Laurent | subdivision_type3 = RCM | subdivision_name3 = La Matapédia | established_title = Settled | established_date = 1870s | established_title1 = Constituted | established_date1 = January 16, 1991 | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Sylvie Blanchette | leader_title1 = Federal riding | leader_name1 = Rimouski—La Matapédia | leader_title2 = Prov. riding | leader_name2 = Matane-Matapédia | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 126.80 | area_land_km2 = 120.02 | area_water_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 5999 | population_as_of = 2021 | population_density_km2= 49.6 | population_blank1_title= Pop 2016-2021 | population_blank1 = 2.9% | population_blank2_title= Dwellings | population_blank2 = 3015 | population_note = | timezone = EST | utc_offset = −5 | timezone_DST = EDT | utc_offset_DST = −4 | postal_code_type = Postal code(s) | postal_code = G5J | area_codes = 418 and 581 | blank_name = Highways | blank_info =
| website = | footnotes =
Amqui (; ) is a town in eastern Quebec, Canada, at the base of the Gaspé peninsula in Bas-Saint-Laurent. Located at the confluence of the Humqui and Matapédia Rivers, it is the seat of La Matapédia Regional County Municipality. The main access road is Quebec Route 132.
The Mi'kmaq word amgoig, also written humqui, unkoui and ankwi, means "the place to have fun", "half wall" or "place of amusement and pleasure." Another Mi'kmaq name for the area is Amkooĭk or Mkooögwĭk which aptly describes the area as "boggy." One source postulates that its name comes from the swirling water at the junction of the Humqui and Matapédia rivers. However, the most plausible explanation appears to be more pragmatic: Amqui was formerly a place where Amerindians gathered for pow wows.
History
Originally Mi'kmaq territory, the area was granted as a seignory by Louis de Buade de Frontenac to Charles-Nicolas-Joseph D'Amours in 1694. D'Amours died in 1728 and none of his descendants claimed the rights to the seigneury. So it remained a remote and undeveloped land until the 19th century. In 1830 construction began on the Kempt Road, a strategic military road between Quebec and the Maritimes, completed in 1833, that opened the area to colonization. But it was the construction of the Intercolonial Railway in the 1870s that brought real development.
In 1879, the post office opened under the name Amqui. In 1881, the Mission of Saint-Benoît-Joseph-Labre was established, named after Benedict Joseph Labre. By 1884, the town became known as a great destination for salmon and trout fishing. In 1889, the mission became a parish and the following year it was incorporated as the Parish Municipality of Saint-Benoît-Joseph-Labre.
In 1907, the village itself separated from the parish municipality and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Saint-Benoît-Joseph-Labre, renamed to Amqui in 1948. It gained town status in 1961.
In January 1991, the Parish Municipality of Saint-Benoît-Joseph-Labre was merged into the Town of Amqui.
On March 13, 2023, a pickup truck hit eleven pedestrians along Route 132, killing three people and injuring eight.
Geography
Amqui is located to the south of the Saint Lawrence River in the Matapédia Valley, which was formed by the Chic-Choc Mountains. The valley is of glacial origin and was formed during the Paleozoic era millions of years ago. The region is characterized by gentle slopes through which the Matapédia river snakes from the northwest to the southeast. The city is located at the confluence of the Humqui and Matapédia rivers.
The city is situated 415 km northeast of Quebec City, 345 km west of Gaspé and 80 km north of New Brunswick. Neighbouring urban centres include Rimouski and Mont-Joli, at 105 km and 70 km to the west, respectively, and Matane, 65 km to the north. Amqui is located 25 km east of Sayabec and 20 km northwest of Causapscal, the two largest municipalities of La Matapédia after Amqui. The city borders Saint-Vianney and Saint-Tharcisius to the north, Saint-Alexandre-des-Lacs to the east, Lac-au-Saumon and Saint-Léon-le-Grand to the south, as well as Sainte-Irène and Val-Brillant to the west. The Couturval hamlet is part of Amqui.
Climate
Amqui has a humid continental climate (Dfb). Being surrounded by the Chic-Chocs creates unique climatic conditions in the region: a long and snowy winter and a hot and humid summer.
|location = Amqui, Quebec (1981-2010): 183m |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan record high C = 11.0 |Feb record high C = 12.0 |Mar record high C = 16.7 |Apr record high C = 28.5 |May record high C = 32.8 |Jun record high C = 33.3 |Jul record high C = 33.5 |Aug record high C = 33.9 |Sep record high C = 32.2 |Oct record high C = 24.5 |Nov record high C = 18.9 |Dec record high C = 17.8 |year record high C =
|Jan high C = -9.9 |Feb high C = -7.8 |Mar high C = -1.7 |Apr high C = 6.1 |May high C = 14.2 |Jun high C = 20.2 |Jul high C = 22.8 |Aug high C = 21.5 |Sep high C = 16.1 |Oct high C = 9.1 |Nov high C = 1.2 |Dec high C = -5.9 |year high C =
|Jan mean C = -15.0 |Feb mean C = -13.4 |Mar mean C = -7.0 |Apr mean C = 1.2 |May mean C = 8.1 |Jun mean C = 13.9 |Jul mean C = 17.0 |Aug mean C = 15.8 |Sep mean C = 10.9 |Oct mean C = 4.7 |Nov mean C = -2.4 |Dec mean C = -10.1 |year mean C =
|Jan low C = -20.0 |Feb low C = -18.9 |Mar low C = -12.2 |Apr low C = -3.8 |May low C = 2.0 |Jun low C = 7.6 |Jul low C = 11.2 |Aug low C = 10.1 |Sep low C = 5.7 |Oct low C = 0.2 |Nov low C = -5.9 |Dec low C = -14.3 |year low C =
|Jan record low C = -40.0 |Feb record low C = -38.9 |Mar record low C = -35.0 |Apr record low C = -28.5 |May record low C = -12.2 |Jun record low C = -4.5 |Jul record low C = 1.0 |Aug record low C = -2.2 |Sep record low C = -6.0 |Oct record low C = -13.5 |Nov record low C = -26.0 |Dec record low C = -34.4 |year record low C =
|precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 85.3 |Feb precipitation mm = 69.5 |Mar precipitation mm = 66.5 |Apr precipitation mm = 75.9 |May precipitation mm = 89.5 |Jun precipitation mm = 93.3 |Jul precipitation mm = 102.1 |Aug precipitation mm = 100.5 |Sep precipitation mm = 81.6 |Oct precipitation mm = 88.0 |Nov precipitation mm = 98.2 |Dec precipitation mm = 81.8 |year precipitation mm =
|Jan snow cm = 75.4 |Feb snow cm = 63.5 |Mar snow cm = 51.7 |Apr snow cm = 30.3 |May snow cm = 3.0 |Jun snow cm = 0.0 |Jul snow cm = 0.0 |Aug snow cm = 0.0 |Sep snow cm = 0.2 |Oct snow cm = 7.2 |Nov snow cm = 46.7 |Dec snow cm = 66.7 |year snow cm =
|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm |Jan precipitation days = 18.3 |Feb precipitation days = 15.0 |Mar precipitation days = 14.6 |Apr precipitation days = 13.6 |May precipitation days = 16.2 |Jun precipitation days = 14.5 |Jul precipitation days = 15.7 |Aug precipitation days = 15.8 |Sep precipitation days = 16.9 |Oct precipitation days = 16.5 |Nov precipitation days = 16.4 |Dec precipitation days = 17.9
|unit snow days = 0.2 cm |Jan snow days = 17.4 |Feb snow days = 13.9 |Mar snow days = 12.8 |Apr snow days = 6.3 |May snow days = 1.0 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.2 |Oct snow days = 2.7 |Nov snow days = 9.8 |Dec snow days = 16.8 |year snow days =
|source 1 = Environment Canada{{cite web |url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=QC&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=5761&dispBack=0 |title = Amqui, Quebec |work = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 |publisher = Environment Canada |language = English, French |accessdate = February 24, 2024}} |date= February 2024
Demographics
|title = |type = Canada |width = |state = |shading = |percentages = |footnote = |1911|2400 |1921|3505 |1931|3226 |1941|1593 |1951|2599 |1956|3247 |1961|3659 |1966|3854 |1971|3797 |1976|3949 |1981|4048 |1986|4249 |1991|4339 |1996|6800 |2001|6473 |2006|6261 |2011|6322 |2016|6178 |2021|5999
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Amqui had a population of living in of its total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of . With a land area of 121.02 km2, it had a population density of in 2021. |location = Amqui |2021_population=5,999 | 2021_pop_delta=-2.9 | 2021_land_area=121.02 | 2021_pop_density=49.6 |2021_median_age=52.0 | 2021_median_age_m=50.4 | 2021_median_age_f=53.2 |2021_total_pvt_dwell=3,015 |2021_occ_pvt_dwell=2,846 |2021_mean_hh_income=60,000 |2021_geocode=2021A00052407047 | 2021_access_date=2023-10-19 |2016_population=6,178 | 2016_pop_delta=-2.3 | 2016_land_area=121.17 | 2016_pop_density=51 |2016_median_age=48.8 | 2016_median_age_m=48 | 2016_median_age_f=49.7 |2016_total_pvt_dwell=2,992 |2016_mean_hh_income=49,728 | 2016_access_date=2022-10-04 |2011_population=6,322 |2011_pop_delta=+1.0 |2011_land_area=120.81 |2011_pop_density=52.3 |2011_median_age=47.2 | 2011_median_age_m=46.2 | 2011_median_age_f=48.0 |2011_total_pvt_dwell=2,925 |2011_total_pvt_dwell_usual=2,801 | 2011_mean_hh_income=49,702 | 2011_access_date=2014-01-28 |2006_population=6,261 |2006_pop_delta=-3.3 |2006_land_area=120.81 |2006_pop_density=51.8 |2006_median_age=44.2 | 2006_median_age_m=43.8 | 2006_median_age_f=44.4|2006_total_pvt_dwell=2,836 |2006_total_pvt_dwell_usual=2,690 | 2006_mean_hh_income=40,733 | 2006_access_date=2012-01-30 |2001_population=6,473 | 2001_pop_delta=-4.8 | 2001_land_area=120.81 | 2001_pop_density=53.6 |2001_median_age=40.2 | 2001_median_age_m=39.9 | 2001_median_age_f=40.5 |2001_total_pvt_dwell=2,811 | 2001_mean_hh_income=35,586 | 2001_access_date=2012-01-30 |notes= Population in 1996: 6,800 (+4.3% from 1991) - Population in 1991: 6,518
According to the Statistics Canada website, 6,090 of Amqui's 6,120 residents speak French as their first language. In addition, 12% can speak both French and English.
::data[format=table]
| Mother tongue | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| French | 5,755 | 99.3% |
| English | 15 | 0.3% |
| English and French | 10 | 0.2% |
| Other languages | 10 | 0.2% |
| :: |
Government
Municipal
Members of the city council are elected every four years on the first Sunday of November and are conducted electronically. It is composed of seven members:
::data[format=table]
| Term | Role | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2025 | Mayor | Sylvie Blanchette |
| Councillor | ||
| #1 | Elaine A. Guilbault | |
| #2 | Sarah-Josée Fournier | |
| #3 | Pier-Luc Denoncourt | |
| #4 | Égide Charest | |
| #5 | Richard Leclerc | |
| #6 | Luc Daigle | |
| :: |
Federal and provincial
Provincially, Amqui is represented by Pascal Bérubé in the Matane-Matapédia electoral district.
Federally, the city is represented by Maxime Blanchette-Joncas in the Rimouski—La Matapédia electoral district.
Infrastructure
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Amqui_Train_Station_(11105854015).jpg" caption="Matapédia]]. The building was heritage-designated by the Canadian government under the ''[[Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act]]'' in 1988."] ::
The station is representative of the boom at the turn of the century, and the associated expansion of the railways in general, the Intercolonial Railway of Canada (IRC) in particular. Amqui depended on the railway to transport their agricultural products and finished parts made of wood. Subsequently, Amqui became an important stop on the train's route from Montréal to Halifax, and from Montréal to Gaspé.
The design of the station Amqui is unusual for a station of the IRC. It is distinguished by its two-storey design, housing the station master and his family on the top floor.
Notable people
- Alfred Belzile - politician and farmer.
- Sébastien Caron - former National Hockey League goaltender
- Cathy LeFrançois - IFBB professional bodybuilder
References
References
- "Amqui". Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire.
- (9 February 2022). "Amqui census profile". Statistics Canada.
- (2012-02-10). "Québec 2012-2013". Petit Futé.
- Rand, Silas Tertius. (1875-01-01). "A First Reading Book in the Micmac Language: Comprising the Micmac Numerals, and the Names of the Different Kinds of Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Trees, &c. of the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Also, Some of the Indian Names of Places, and Many Familiar Words and Phrases, Translated Literally Into English". Nova Scotia Printing Company.
- Marshall, Ian. (2012-02-01). "Border Crossings: Walking the Haiku Path on the International Appalachian Trail". Hiraeth Press.
- Brochu, Renaud. (1990-01-01). "Les Fournier: François et Théophile, deux lignées matapédiennes". Éditions Le Brochu.
- "Amqui (ville)". Commission de toponymie du Québec.
- (2004). "La Matapédia : Matapediac". MRC de La Matapédia.
- Harris, W.C.. (1885). "The Angler's Guide Book and Tourist's Gazetteer of the Fishing Waters of the United States and Canada". American Angler.
- "Vehicle plows into pedestrians in Amqui". [[Montreal Gazette]].
- "2 dead after multiple pedestrians struck by pickup truck in Amqui, Que.". [[CBC News]].
- "A third person has died after Amqui truck attack, Sûreté du Québec confirms".
- "Normales et records climatologiques 1981-2010 à Amqui, Que. - Infoclimat".
- (1958). "Population. Volume 1. General characteristics, households and families = Population. Volume 1. Caractéristiques générales, ménages et familles".
- (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Quebec". [[Statistics Canada]].
- "Electronic Area Profiles". Statistics Canada.
- "Composition du conseil - Ville d'Amqui". City of Amqui.
- Brown, Ron. (2015-08-08). "Dundurn Railroad 5-Book Bundle: In Search of the Grand Trunk / Rails Across the Prairies / Rails Across Ontario / The Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore / Rails to the Atlantic". Dundurn.
- "[http://www.ville.amqui.qc.ca/services-municipaux/loisirs-culturel-et-sportif/gare.html Gare et wagon Lynnewood]." Ville d'Amqui. Retrieved on 25 June 2012.
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