The municipality includes the communities of Marcil, Clemville, Port-Daniel-Ouest, Port-Daniel-Est, Gascons-Ouest, and Gascons-Est. It is bordered to the south by Chaleur Bay, to the north by the interior of the Gaspésie, to the west by Shigawake, and to the east by Chandler (Newport District).
History
Port-Daniel
The area was originally inhabited by the Mi'kmaq people, who called the place Epsegeneg, meaning "place where people warm themselves".[1]
In 1534, Jacques Cartier visited the coast and named the bay (at the current townsite of Port-Daniel) Conche Saint-Martin. But Emmanuel Jumeau would record Port Daniel on his 1685 map, likely named after Dieppe merchant Charles Daniel, who made several voyages to New France as a ship captain. The name Port Daniel would also be used for the seignory that was established there, and granted to René Deneau in 1696.[1]
Early in the 19th century, further development came with the arrival of Scottish settlers. By 1825, there were 825 settlers, mostly of Irish, English, and Jersey origin. Americans followed before the middle of the century and set up a lobster cannery there in 1847.[1]
In 1845, the Township Municipality of Port-Daniel was created, abolished in 1847, and reestablished again in 1855. In 1882, it was divided into the Township Municipalities of Port-Daniel-Partie-Est (east part) and Port-Daniel-Partie-Ouest (west part). In 1990, these 2 township municipalities were joined again into the Municipality of Port-Daniel.[1]
Gascons
Gascons Cove (French: Anse aux Gascons) was named after a sailor from Gascony who shipwrecked there. In the middle of the 19th century, the place was settled by Gascons, Normans, Acadians, Basques, and Jersey people.[1]
In 1899, the Parish of Sainte-Germaine-de-l'Anse-aux-Gascons was founded, named after Germaine Cousin, a saint also of Gascon origin, and the cove. In 1902, the namesake parish municipality was established.[1]
Port-Daniel–Gascons
Port-Daniel–Gascons was formed on January 17, 2001, through the merger of the Municipality of Port-Daniel (founded in 1990) and the Parish Municipality of Sainte-Germaine-de-l'Anse-aux-Gascons (founded in 1902).[1]
In 2017, McInnis Cement, the largest cement plant in the province of Quebec, was inaugurated in the Municipality of Port-Daniel–Gascons. The cement plant was constructed between 2014 and 2017. It will bring in $2.1 million annually in tax revenue.
Demographics
Population
Canada census – Port-Daniel--Gascons community profile
VIA Rail ceased service to Port-Daniel station due to track closures and local bridge conditions in 2013. The station is located close to the city hall.
