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Maniwaki

Maniwaki is a town in the Outaouais region of Quebec, Canada, and the administrative centre of La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau Regional County Municipality.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Maniwaki is a town in the Outaouais region of Quebec, Canada, and the administrative centre of La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau Regional County Municipality. It is located on the Gatineau River, north of Ottawa and Gatineau, and serves as a regional service centre.

Geography

Maniwaki is located in the Outaouais region of Quebec on the Gatineau River, near the crossroads of Route 105 and Route 107 and close to Route 117. It lies north of Ottawa and Gatineau and acts as a local service hub.

History

According to local sources, Maniwaki began as a mission in 1849 and was officially founded as a municipality in 1851. It later obtained city status in 1957.

Demographics

The town’s population was 3,853 in the 2016 Canadian census. Other sources list nearby estimates around 3,757 to 4,236 depending on year and source.

Indigenous and regional role

French-language sources identify Maniwaki as a centre of Algonquin presence in the region and the seat of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Tribal Council. The nearby Kitigan Zibi reserve is noted as adjacent to the town.

Key facts

  • Maniwaki is a town in western Quebec on the Gatineau River.
  • It is the administrative centre of La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau RCM.
  • The town was founded in 1851 and became a city in 1957.
  • The name Maniwaki is reported to mean “Terre de Marie” in Algonquin.
  • The town is closely associated with the nearby Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg reserve.
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Canadian context

Maniwaki is relevant to Canadian readers as a small Quebec town that functions as a regional service centre and sits within the Outaouais area of western Quebec, near the Ottawa–Gatineau metropolitan region.

Frequently asked questions

What is Maniwaki?
Maniwaki is a town in Quebec, Canada, in the Outaouais region.
Where is Maniwaki located?
It is on the Gatineau River in La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau RCM, north of Ottawa and Gatineau.
When was Maniwaki founded?
Local sources state that Maniwaki was founded in 1851, after originating as a mission in 1849.
What is Maniwaki’s population?
Statistics Canada reported a population of 3,853 in 2016.
What does the name Maniwaki mean?
Local sources say the name means “Terre de Marie” in Algonquin.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maniwaki
    Supports: General location, status as town, administrative centre, and road/river setting.
  2. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maniwaki
    Supports: Regional setting, Algonquin presence, Kitigan Zibi adjacency, and role as service centre.
  3. Commission de toponymie du Québec — https://toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/Fiche.aspx?no_seq=38514
    Supports: Official toponym entry, town status, administrative region, RCM, and coordinates.
  4. Tourisme Vallée-de-la-Gatineau — https://tourismevalleedelagatineau.com/explorez-la-region/nos-municipalites-villes/ville-maniwaki/
    Supports: Foundation date, population, area, and meaning of the name.
  5. Statistics Canada — https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=F&Geo1=CSD&Code1=2483065&Geo2=PR&Code2=24&SearchText=Maniwaki&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=2483065&TABID=1&type=0
    Supports: 2016 census population figure.