History

In 1784, the first Loyalists sailed into Paspébiac. The great majority of them had originated from the area around New-York and, in search of a new land, the loyal British subjects headed East and settled in Petit-Paspébiac, known as New Carlisle. Among them as Lieutenant-Governor Cox. It is believed that New Carlisle was named in his honor since he had been native of Carlisle in England.

As soon as the Loyalists arrived it was decided to make New Carlisle an administrative and legal center, a vocation which it has maintained over the years. Its early British heritage is still very evident today in its largely Anglophone population, and its architectural style reminiscent of New-England. There are numerous churches attesting to the religion diversity of the first settlers.

Since the turn of the century, the small locality has played an important role in communications. The arrival of the railroad provided New Carlisle with the largest railroad facilities on the Gaspé. In 1933, CHNC-AM went on the air and became the first Francophone radio station East of Quebec City. In 1974, the SPEC was inaugurated and it remains the only English-language weekly newspaper in Eastern Québec. Québec-Téléphone in turn established its district office. Besides insuring telephone services, the company povides special services to the Q.P.P. and Canadian Coast Guard.

Perhaps, New Carlisle is best known as the home town of René Lévesque, founder of the Parti Québecois in 1968, and Premier of Québec from 1976 to 1985.