We describe how genetic analyses of French Canadians have facilitated: (i) the classification of variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2; (ii) the identification and classification of variants in newly proposed breast and/or ovarian cancer predisposing genes; and (iii) the identification of a new breast cancer predisposing gene candidate, RECQL. The genetic architecture of French Canadians provides a unique opportunity to evaluate new candidate cancer predisposing genes regardless of the population in which they were identified. The gene discussed is BRCA1; the disease is ovarian carcinoma.