Maillardville

Maillardville is a community on the south slope of the city of Coquitlam, British Columbia.

In 1909, Coquitlam mill owners, in search of workers, recruited a contingent of 110 French-Canadians for work at Fraser Mills. With the arrival of a second contingent in June 1910, Maillardville was born. Named for Father Maillard, a young Oblate from France, Maillardville was more than just a French-Canadian enclave in Western Canada; it was a vibrant community, the largest Francophone center west of Manitoba, and the seed for the future growth of Coquitlam.

While the passing of time has diluted the use of the French language in British Columbia, it is still heard on the streets and in the homes in Maillardville. The area's past is recognized in street names that honour early pioneers and in local redevelopments which reflect its French-Canadian heritage.

Maillardville will be celebrating it's 100th birthday in 2009. An annual celebration of Maillardville and the Francophone community, Festival du Bois, takes place every March.