The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Canada›Town›Murdochville
Canada • Town

Murdochville

Murdochville is a town in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region of Quebec, Canada.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Murdochville is a town in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region of Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1953 as a mining company town, it was developed to serve a copper mine and later shifted toward tourism and outdoor recreation after mining declined. It is located inland on the Gaspé Peninsula and is one of the smaller communities in the La Côte-de-Gaspé area.

History

Murdochville was established in the early 1950s as a mining settlement for copper extraction. Sources describe it as a company town whose growth was tied to the mine, and its mining era ended in 1999.

Geography

The town is located in the interior of the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec. It lies in the La Côte-de-Gaspé MRC and is notable for its relatively high elevation.

Economy

After the decline of mining, Murdochville turned toward tourism and outdoor recreation. Local and regional tourism sources describe activities such as skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, and mountain biking.

Population

Recent sources place Murdochville’s population at roughly the low-600s, reflecting a small community compared with its peak mining-era size. CBC reported that the town had about 5,000 residents at its high point in the 1970s.

Key facts

  • Murdochville was founded in 1953 as a company town linked to copper mining.
  • The town was named after James Y. Murdoch, a founder and early leader of Noranda Mines.
  • Mining operations ended in 1999, after which tourism became the main economic focus.
  • Murdochville is known for winter and outdoor recreation, including skiing and snowmobiling.
  • It is located in the MRC of La Côte-de-Gaspé in eastern Quebec.
🍁
Canadian context

Murdochville is of interest to Canadian readers as a Quebec company town that illustrates the transition from resource extraction to tourism in a rural region of eastern Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Murdochville known for?
Murdochville is known for its origins as a copper-mining company town and for its later focus on outdoor tourism and recreation.
When was Murdochville founded?
Murdochville was founded in 1953.
Why is Murdochville called Murdochville?
The town was named after James Y. Murdoch, associated with Noranda Mines and listed as one of the town’s founders.
Is Murdochville still a mining town?
No. Mining operations ended in 1999, and the town’s economy shifted toward tourism and recreation.
Where is Murdochville located?
It is in Quebec’s Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region, within the MRC of La Côte-de-Gaspé, on the Gaspé Peninsula.

References

  1. Natural Resources Canada — https://www.geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique?id=EHIXC
    Supports: Official place-name record; classification, location, province, and coordinates.
  2. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murdochville
    Supports: Founding date, naming origin, elevation, regional location, and local context.
  3. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/murdochville-65-1.4757118
    Supports: Company-town origin, mining history, mine closure, population context, and shift to tourism.
  4. Tourisme Gaspésie — https://www.tourisme-gaspesie.com/en/services/murdochville-ville/
    Supports: Current tourism role, outdoor recreation, and recent population figure.