Chapleau, Ontario

Last updated

Chapleau
Township (single-tier)
Township of Chapleau
Chapleau Ontario.jpg
Motto(s): 
Prosperity, Industry
Canada Ontario location map 2.svg
Red pog.svg
Chapleau
Coordinates: 47°50′38″N83°24′01″W / 47.84389°N 83.40028°W / 47.84389; -83.40028 [1]
CountryCanada
Province Ontario
District Sudbury
Established1885
Incorporated1901
Government
 • TypeTownship
 • MayorRyan Bignucolo
 •  MP Carol Hughes (NDP)
 •  MPP Michael Mantha (NDP)
Area
[3]
 • Land13.20 km2 (5.10 sq mi)
 • Urban
[4]
0.59 km2 (0.23 sq mi)
Elevation
[5] (at
weather station)
448.1 m (1,470.1 ft)
Population
 (2021) [3]
 • Total
1,942
 • Density147.1/km2 (381/sq mi)
 •  Urban
[4]
1,144
 • Urban density1,929.5/km2 (4,997/sq mi)
Time zone UTC−05:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Postal code span
P0M 1K0
Area code(s) 705, 249
Website www.chapleau.ca OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Chapleau is a township in Sudbury District, Ontario, Canada. It is the access point to one of the world's largest wildlife preserves. Chapleau has a population of 1,942 according to the 2021 Canadian census. [3]

Contents

The major industries within the town are the logging mill, Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) (formerly Tembec), and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) rail yards.

History

In 1885 the Canadian Pacific Railway was built through the area. The CPR chose this as a divisional point, and the town was founded. It was named in honour of Sir Joseph-Adolphe Chapleau, a lawyer, journalist, businessman, politician, and most notably the 5th Premier of Quebec. Around 1887, the Hudson's Bay Company established a fur trade post and store in Chapleau near the Canadian Pacific Railway line. It was the headquarters of HBC's Michipicoten District from that year until 1892 when the post closed. [6]

Chapleau was incorporated as the Corporation of the Township of Chapleau on February 1, 1901. [7]

Louis Hémon, author of the French novel Maria Chapdelaine , was struck and killed by a train in Chapleau on 8 July 1913. [8]

After a fire in 1948, the government was prompted to construct a road to Chapleau to enable logging contractors to truck timber before it rotted. The Chapleau Road (now Highway 129) was completed on January 28, 1949. In the early 1960s, Highway 101 was completed to link Chapleau with Timmins to the east, and Wawa to the west. [9] [10]

Chapleau also developed logging and lumber mill operations, up until 1994 the town supported no less than three lumber mills, but the United States' imposition of a softwood lumber tariff designed to benefit American lumber companies has led to many layoffs and difficult times for the town. At its largest, with large CPR and lumber operations, the town had a population of over 5,000. However, the town has been gradually shrinking since 1950.

In 1967, the Chapleau Centennial Museum was opened to showcase and celebrate local history. It is located at 94 Monk Street.

Geography

Chapleau is located in central Northeastern Ontario, in the heart of the Canadian Shield. Chapleau is geographically isolated; the nearest cities are Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, and Sudbury, but all are more than a two-hour drive away. Highway 129 links the town with Highway 101, running east to Timmins and west to Wawa. Highway 129 also runs south, connecting with the Trans-Canada Highway, Highway 17 at Thessalon, 227 km (141 mi) from Chapleau.

Via Rail's Sudbury–White River train also connects Chapleau station with White River, Sudbury and a number of remote communities.

Three First Nations reserves are located near the township: Chapleau Cree First Nation, Brunswick House First Nation, and Chapleau Ojibway First Nation.

One unusual feature of the community's transportation network is that because a railway yard separates the community into distinct halves, the main street in the western portion of the community loops back over itself in a manner resembling a cloverleaf interchange, and then crosses over both itself and the railway yard on a grade separation before returning to street level to link to the eastern street grid.

Chapleau Crown Game Preserve

Chapleau Crown Game Preserve to the north of the town is, at over 7,000 km2 (2,700 sq mi), the largest animal preserve in the world. Protected wildlife include moose, black bears, pygmy shrews, bald eagles and loons. The preserve is a source of tourism, drawing nature-enthusiasts and fishermen to the township. All forms of hunting and trapping have been forbidden in the preserve since the 1920s. The result is an area with abundant wildlife. In fact, over 2,500 moose and over 2,000 black bears reside within the game preserve. Logging does occur within the preserve, as does fishing. There are two provincial parks and cottages located within the preserve.

Climate

Chapleau experiences a humid continental climate (Dfb) with warm, rainy summers and long, cold, and snowy winters.

Climate data for Chapleau (Chapleau Airport)
Climate ID: 6061361; coordinates 47°49′12″N83°20′48″W / 47.82000°N 83.34667°W / 47.82000; -83.34667 (Chapleau Airport) ; elevation: 448.1 m (1,470 ft); 1991−2020 normals, extremes 1916−present
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high humidex 7.09.628.728.539.140.841.841.037.229.223.010.741.8
Record high °C (°F)7.2
(45.0)		14.4
(57.9)		26.2
(79.2)		30.0
(86.0)		33.9
(93.0)		39.4
(102.9)		39.4
(102.9)		35.6
(96.1)		35.6
(96.1)		27.2
(81.0)		19.4
(66.9)		15.0
(59.0)		39.4
(102.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−9.2
(15.4)		−6.8
(19.8)		−0.2
(31.6)		7.2
(45.0)		16.3
(61.3)		21.9
(71.4)		23.6
(74.5)		22.2
(72.0)		17.2
(63.0)		8.9
(48.0)		0.8
(33.4)		−5.8
(21.6)		8.0
(46.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)−15.5
(4.1)		−13.6
(7.5)		−7.0
(19.4)		1.1
(34.0)		9.6
(49.3)		15.3
(59.5)		17.4
(63.3)		16.2
(61.2)		11.5
(52.7)		4.6
(40.3)		−3.3
(26.1)		−10.6
(12.9)		2.1
(35.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−21.6
(−6.9)		−20.4
(−4.7)		−13.9
(7.0)		−5.1
(22.8)		2.7
(36.9)		8.7
(47.7)		11.2
(52.2)		10.1
(50.2)		5.9
(42.6)		0.1
(32.2)		−7.3
(18.9)		−15.5
(4.1)		−3.8
(25.2)
Record low °C (°F)−50.0
(−58.0)		−46.7
(−52.1)		−43.9
(−47.0)		−33.3
(−27.9)		−13.3
(8.1)		−7.2
(19.0)		−3.0
(26.6)		−7.8
(18.0)		−10.0
(14.0)		−18.9
(−2.0)		−37.2
(−35.0)		−47.2
(−53.0)		−50.0
(−58.0)
Record low wind chill −56.4−50.7−45.5−30.2−14.1−4.40.00.0−6.7−21.3−34.1−46.0−56.4
Average precipitation mm (inches)51.0
(2.01)		41.9
(1.65)		47.6
(1.87)		65.6
(2.58)		71.9
(2.83)		83.5
(3.29)		85.7
(3.37)		77.6
(3.06)		101.1
(3.98)		88.8
(3.50)		71.9
(2.83)		54.8
(2.16)		841.4
(33.13)
Average rainfall mm (inches)3.0
(0.12)		2.1
(0.08)		13.6
(0.54)		36.4
(1.43)		65.6
(2.58)		83.5
(3.29)		85.7
(3.37)		77.6
(3.06)		100.5
(3.96)		76.2
(3.00)		27.9
(1.10)		7.0
(0.28)		579.1
(22.80)
Average snowfall cm (inches)56.1
(22.1)		45.4
(17.9)		37.2
(14.6)		27.5
(10.8)		5.4
(2.1)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.6
(0.2)		11.4
(4.5)		46.2
(18.2)		54.4
(21.4)		284.2
(111.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)19.215.513.812.513.614.415.514.816.518.719.019.7193.1
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)1.51.13.57.312.714.415.514.816.415.67.32.9112.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)19.015.311.87.11.60.00.00.00.386.015.118.594.8
Average relative humidity (%) (at 15:00 LST)74.366.655.250.747.252.056.359.463.868.976.879.562.6
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [5] [11] [12] [13]

Demographics

In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Chapleau had a population of 1,942 living in 867 of its 973 total private dwellings, a change of -1.1 per cent from its 2016 population of 1,964. With a land area of 13.2 km2 (5.1 sq mi), it had a population density of 147.1/km2 in 2021. [3]

Canada census – Chapleau community profile
2021 2016 2011
Population1,942 (-1.1% from 2016)1,964 (-7.2% from 2011)2,116 (-10.1% from 2006)
Land area13.20 km2 (5.10 sq mi)14.22 km2 (5.49 sq mi)14.27 km2 (5.51 sq mi)
Population density147.1/km2 (381/sq mi)138.2/km2 (358/sq mi)148.3/km2 (384/sq mi)
Median age47.6 (M: 47.6, F: 47.6)47.2 (M: 47.8, F: 46.6)
Private dwellings973 (total)  867 (occupied)1,022 (total) 1,046 (total) 
Median household income$84,000$72,128
References: 2021 [14] 2016 [15] 2011 [16]
Historical census populations – Chapleau, Ontario
YearPop.±%
1921 2,236—    
1931 2,238+0.1%
1941 1,867−16.6%
1951 2,619+40.3%
1956 3,407+30.1%
1961 3,785+11.1%
YearPop.±%
1966 3,778−0.2%
1971 3,389−10.3%
1976 3,294−2.8%
1981 3,243−1.5%
1986 3,184−1.8%
1991 3,077−3.4%
YearPop.±%
1996 2,934−4.6%
2001 2,832−3.5%
2006 2,354−16.9%
2011 2,116−10.1%
2016 1,964−7.2%
2021 1,942−1.1%
[3] [17] [18] [19]

Economy

Main employers in Chapleau include the Canadian Pacific Railway and Ryam Lumber. Tourism is also an important part of the economy with several outfitters and lodges operating in the area. [20]

In 2012, the Chapleau Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) was founded as an independent, non-profit organization. Resolution 28-371, passed by the Chapleau Town Council on September 24, 2012, established the existing agreement between the Township and the CEDC. [21]

Goldcorp is working towards the advanced exploration phase at the Borden Gold project.

Borden Lake Mine opened September 23, 2019, creating many jobs for the local populace.

Government

The town is governed locally by a five-member council. The current council is made up of Mayor Ryan Bignucolo and Councillors Lisi Bernier, Paul Bernier, Cathy Ansara and Alex Lambruschini. [22]

Wireless mesh Internet

Starting on November 9, 2005, Chapleau residents began testing a wireless mesh Internet technology in a program called Project Chapleau. This Wi-Fi connection covered the entire town and was the first of its kind in Canada.

This service was designed and implemented by Bell Canada Enterprises, Nortel Networks, and the Township of Chapleau.

An analysis of the impact of high-speed internet on the residents and town of Chapleau was published in 2010 by Jessica Collins and Barry Wellman. [23]

In April, 2007, Project Chapleau concluded without a reason being given. The Project Chapleau office (The Chapleau Innovation Centre) was converted into a public internet access point, with job search and community networking facilities.

Education

The town has two high schools, Chapleau Elementary and Secondary School (CESS) and École Secondaire Catholique Trillium, and two elementary schools, École élémentaire catholique Sacré-Cœur, and Our Lady of Fatima. Chapleau Elementary and Secondary school belongs to the Algoma District School Board, the others belong to the French and English Catholic school boards.

Media

All of the township's regular broadcast media are rebroadcasters of signals from Sudbury, Timmins or Wawa. The township's only purely local media service is CFJW-FM 93.7, a special station which airs information from the municipal government in the event of a weather or industrial emergency. The station does not broadcast on a regular basis; in the event of an emergency, the municipal fire service activates its fire sirens to alert residents to tune in the station. [24]

Radio

FrequencyCall signBrandingFormatOwnerNotes
FM 89.9 CBCU-FM CBC Radio One public news/talk Canadian Broadcasting Corporation rebroadcasts CBCS-FM Sudbury
FM 91.9 CBON-FM-28 Ici Radio-Canada Première public news/talk Canadian Broadcasting Corporation French, rebroadcasts CBON-FM Sudbury
FM 93.7 CFJW-FM Emergency alert
FM 95.9 CHAP-FM Community radio Community-owned rebroadcaster of CHYC-FM Sudbury [25]
FM 100.7 CJWA-FM-1 adult contemporary Rebroadcaster of CJWA-FM (Wawa)

Television

OTA channelCall signNetworkNotes
9 (VHF) CITO-TV-4 CTV Rebroadcaster of CITO-TV (Timmins); de fact rebroadcaster of CICI-TV (Sudbury)

Notable people

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Chapleau". Geographical Names Data Base . Natural Resources Canada.
  2. "Chapleau". Geographical Names Data Base . Natural Resources Canada.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Chapleau, Ontario (Code 3552092) Census Profile". 2021 census . Government of Canada - Statistics Canada . Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  4. 1 2 "Chapleau Ontario [Population centre] Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  5. 1 2 "Chapleau A, Ontario". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada . Retrieved Oct 9, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Hudson's Bay Company: Chapleau". pam.minisisinc.com. Archives of Manitoba - Keystone Archives Descriptive Database. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  7. ↑ Evans, George. "Chapleau's First Century, 1901–2001". Chapleau Library. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Louis Hemon | French author". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2017-10-14.
  9. ↑ "Information About Chapleau". Chapleau community portal. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-04-13.
  10. ↑ Ontario Department of Highways (1956). Ontario Road Map [map]. Cartography by C.P. Robins. Section J13–14
  11. ↑ "Chapleau 2". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  12. ↑ "Chapleau". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  13. ↑ "Daily Data Report for March 2012". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  14. ↑ "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian census . Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  15. ↑ "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian census . Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  16. ↑ "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian census . Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  17. ↑ 2011 Census Profile
  18. ↑ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 census
  19. ↑ "1971 Census of Canada - Population Census Subdivisions (Historical)". Catalogue 92-702 Vol I, part 1 (Bulletin 1.1-2). Statistics Canada: 76, 139. July 1973.
  20. ↑ "Outfitters and Lodges". Archived from the original on 2014-03-21.
  21. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2014-08-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. ↑ "Mayor & Council – Township of Chapleau". www.chapleau.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  23. ↑ "Small Town in the Internet Society: Chapleau is No Longer an Island." American Behavioral Scientist 53 (9): 1344–66. doi : 10.1177/0002764210361689
  24. ↑ CFJW-FM launch announcement Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , August 31, 2007.
  25. ↑ CRTC Decision 2007–70

Further reading

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