In the early 1900s, Quebec’s economy was still largely resource-based, and timber was one of its most valuable exports, especially softwood (pine, spruce) for the U.S. and Britain. Logging provided seasonal work for thousands of men—farmers in winter, unemployed laborers, and immigrants alike. It was often the only cash income for rural families. Beyond raw timber, it fueled the rise of pulp and paper mills, sawmills, and railway expansion, especially in the Mauricie, Outaouais, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, and Abitibi regions.
The bûcheron (lumberjack) became a folk hero—strong, stoic, close to nature, independent. He was a romanticized figure, much like the cowboy in the American West. The Bucheron worked in remote and rugged environments. Sleeping in bunkhouses, working from dawn to dusk, and bonding around the fire. But camaraderie was strong. “Chansons à répondre” (call-and-response songs), turlutes (mouth music), and storytelling thrived in lumber camps. Legends such as Ti-Jean, Jos Montferrand, or le diable au chantier were passed from camp to camp. The red checked flannel shirt (chemise à carreaux), tuque, and axe became iconic of Quebec’s rural working-class image—and remain so today.
Being close to nature and far from society’s mores, the logger embodied a kind of liberté joyeuse. In a harsh world, the smallest things took on vivid meaning; A hearty meal, a steaming cup of coffee or a dry pair of socks. With time, the bûcheron became a symbol of French-Canadian identity in a time of cultural and economic transformation—hardworking, resilient, and free among the trees. The Bucheron’s joie de vivre was built on gratitude—not comfort. It was about courage, community, and finding sparks of life in a harsh and humbling environment.