GRAND-MRE

city, Mauricie-Bois-Francs region, south-central Quebec province, Canada, on the Saint-Maurice River. The name (French: "grandmother") was inspired by a rock in the river that, according to the Indians, resembled an old woman's profile. The rock was later moved ashore when a hydroelectric dam was built downstream above Trois-Rivires city. The city's economy is sustained by hydropower, upon which its pulp, paper, and garment industries depend. Tourism and winter sports are significant. Founded as a village in 1898 because of ample timber and waterpower, Grand-Mre has grown more slowly than Shawinigan, a few miles downstream. La Mauricie, a national park occupying 210 square miles (544 square km), is in the vicinity of Grand-Mre. Inc. town, 1901; city, 1910. Pop. (1991) 14,287.