Thunder Bay

Community Organizations: Portuguese Association of Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY’S POPULATION: 123,258

STATISTICS FOR THE PORTUGUESE IN THUNDER BAY:

AS MOTHER
TONGUE		AS MOST
SPOKEN		KNOWLEDGE OF
THE LANGUAGE		BORN IN
PORTUGAL		ETHNIC
ORIGIN
405
0.3% of population		125
0.1% of population		475
0.4% of population		250
0.2% of population		1,065
0.9% of population
Source: Statistics Canada

Audio Version:

It was with the opening of two trading posts, in 1679 and 1717, that the first settlement was established in the region. In 1803, the population grew substantially and was, consequently, given the name of Fort William. A few kilometres north of this settlement, a new community was also growing: Port Arthur. In 1970, both localities would join to form the City of Thunder Bay.

During the 1800s, Fort William began to prosper while Port Arthur was not able to thrive. However, the construction of the Transcontinental Railway helped change the course of events, boosting Fort William’s established economy and providing Porth Arthur with the opportunity to prosper. The development was such that by 1914 both towns provided their residents with electric power, sewer system, tap water and a telephone network.

Forestry and its related products have always been the main drive of the local economy. The first pulp factory opened in Port Arthur in 1917 and, three years later, a mill opened in Fort William. In 1937, Canada Car and Foundry Company built here an airplane manufacturing plant to supply the English Army during WWII and beyond. The factory was later purchased by Bombardier, which continues to operate in the city.

View of the ‘Sleeping Giant’ from Thunder Bay’s shore

The inauguration of the Trans-Canada Highway hindered Thunder Bay’s economy because there was less reliance on the railway for the transportation of goods. As a result, many companies left the city. However, both the Provincial and Federal governments boosted the economy by opening various offices here. Later, Lakehead University and Confederation College further helped the local economy.

The Portuguese first established here in the 1950s and, during the next decade, the community had grown to appreciable numbers. They worked in forestry, the railway and in construction. Since there was no community organization, they gathered at each other’s homes. However, José Frade thought out a plan to form a club and, in 1978, he had gathered enough interest and support to formally found the Portuguese Association of Thunder Bay.

In recent years, the community has drawn up plans to widen the club’s hall, but it hasn’t yet materialized. Thunder Bay is currently home to a few Portuguese who are dynamic and fully immersed into the general society. Here, you can find professionals in various fields and some business owned by Luso-Canadians, including Galo restaurant.

With files from Luso-Ontario Magazine, 2008
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