Maple season

History of the Vanier Sugar Shack

A hidden treasure in the heart of Ottawa

The Vanier Museopark is proud to keep the maple syrup-making traditions alive in Ottawa’s Vanier neighbourhood. The Vanier Sugar Shack is truly one of a kind: it’s the only urban sugar shack in the country!

The beginnings of a sweet tradition

The Richelieu Park sugar shack was founded in 1939 by the White Fathers, Missionaries in Africa, to help the group achieve a certain level of self-sufficiency. The first “sugaring-off’ party took place in April 1940, during the spring thaw, marking the start of a tradition that has been passed down through generations. The first batches of maple syrup were produced for the scholasticate clergy, reflecting the religious and community-oriented mission of the White Fathers.

In the 1942 harvest, the White Fathers collected nearly 1,000 liters of sap, producing 23 liters of maple syrup and some maple sugar – a modest, but valuable yield that symbolizes the humble beginnings of this activity.

By the 1960s, the White Fathers modernized their operation by building a larger sugar shack on the same site. However, maple syrup production ceased in 1976 when the White Fathers left Vanier.

Reviving the sugar season traditions in Vanier

In the mid-1980s, the City of Vanier set up its town hall in Richelieu Park. Mayor Gisèle Lalonde proposed reviving the sugar-making tradition by organizing a festival to celebrate the art of maple syrup production, a cherished element of French-Canadian culture.

In 1998, following a decade of success, the group Action Vanier, led by René Doré, inaugurated the third sugar shack, built with the help of dedicated volunteers. This new shack was erected on the same site as its predecessors. Managed by Action Vanier, the Sugar Festival flourished, making Vanier a key destination for this beloved tradition.

Rebuilding the legacy

After proudly carrying on the tradition until 2011, the Vanier Museopark took over the organisation of the Sugar Festival in 2012, ensuring its continuity in the neighbourhood. However, tragedy struck in August 2020 when the sugar shack was completely destroyed in an act of arson.

The community quickly rallied, and plans for reconstruction began. Groundbreaking took place on December 3, 2021, and on March 28, 2023, the fourth Richelieu Park sugar shack was inaugurated – a powerful symbol of resilience and community spirit.

A unique gem waiting to be discovered

This sugar shack stands apart as the only active urban sugar shack in Canada. Nestled within a maple forest where over 500 taps are made, the Vanier Sugar Shack produces approximately 500 liters of maple syrup each season, keeping this vibrant, ancestral tradition alive.

Savour the delights of yesteryears

Join us for a delicious experience at a truly exceptional urban sugar shack!