# Grosse-Île, Quebec

Grosse-Île (French pronunciation:, lit. 'Big Island') is one of two municipalities forming the urban agglomeration of Îles-de-la-Madeleine in Quebec, Canada. It is part of the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region, and its population was 464 as of the 2021 Census.

## History

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.
Located on Grosse-Île island (French for Big Island) between the villages of Grande-Entrée (south) and House Harbour (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.

## Demography
### Population

| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1901 | 624 | — |
| 1911 | 695 | +11.4% |
| 1921 | 767 | +10.4% |
| 1931 | 308 | −59.8% |
| 1941 | 281 | −8.8% |
| 1951 | 373 | +32.7% |
| 1956 | 388 | +4.0% |
| 1961 | 451 | +16.2% |
| 1966 | 487 | +8.0% |
| 1971 | 475 | −2.5% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1976 | 500 | +5.3% |
| 1981 | 532 | +6.4% |
| 1986 | 560 | +5.3% |
| 1991 | 569 | +1.6% |
| 1996 | 567 | −0.4% |
| 2001 | 543 | −4.2% |
| 2006 | 531 | −2.2% |
| 2011 | 490 | −7.7% |
| 2016 | 465 | −5.1% |
| 2021 | 464 | −0.2% |

### Language

Canada Census Mother Tongue - Grosse-Île, Quebec :
| Census | Total | French | French | French | English | English | English | French & English | French & English | French & English | Other | Other | 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) discovered 7 salt domes, 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

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.' 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 and Île de l'Est.