Two's Company!

Your trip to France this summer just got 6, 054km closer than what you expected, Canada has another neighbour in addition to the United States! Only 25km off the coast of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic there are a group of islands which belong to the French Territorial Collectivity of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon making France Canada's next closest neighbour (Greenland is 230km at its closet point). These islands are the only remnant of the former colonial empire of New France which remain under French control.

This community has a rich history of France – Canada and France – U.S. relations which stems back to the age of exploration with the European colonial expansion into the Americas. Prior to European contacts, the islands were inhabited by the native Indians known as the Beothuk which became extinct in 1829. Initially the area was coveted for its prime fishing, which led to disputes between English and French settlers. Though the islands were frequently visited it was not until the 17th century that the islands came to have permanent French residents. The 17th century saw British attack and takeover of the islands, which with the Treaty of Paris resulted in their turnover again to the French as is ceded all of New France to British possession except these islands specifically.

The islands have acted in North American history in varying degrees, playing a role in the prohibition period, acting as bases for smugglers, for example. Suspected of Nazi allegiance in the Second World War, there was rumor of plans for a Canadian invasion of the islands, though the attack never took place. It was one of the first territories of France to be liberated and form Free France in 1941, as a French submarine crossed the Atlantic and secured the islands. The history of this area is truly incredible, with strange French connections to North America such as the only use of the guillotine in the continental area in 1888.

The government functions through electing a prefect who answers to the President of the Territorial Council of France who in turn is overseen by the President of France. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon operate under the Euro currency and has an area of 242km2. The permanent population is 6,125 people. Their economy currently resides on fishing, and tourism with minimal agriculture and no industry.

While the real political effects are quite minimal it’s fascinating to have French territory so close to Canada!