Parry Sound District

Last updated
Parry Sound District
District
Map of Ontario PARRY SOUND.svg
Location of Parry Sound District in Ontario
Coordinates: 45°42′N79°50′W / 45.700°N 79.833°W / 45.700; -79.833
Country Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Province Flag of Ontario.svg  Ontario
Region Northern Ontario and Central Ontario
Created1870
Government
 •  MPs Scott Aitchison, Anthony Rota, Marc Serré
 •  MPPs Norm Miller, Vic Fedeli
Area
[1]
 • Land9,113.92 km2 (3,518.90 sq mi)
Population
 (2021) [1]
 • Total
46,909
 • Density5.1/km2 (13/sq mi)
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
Postal code FSA
P0C, P0E, P0G, P0H, P2A
Area code(s) 705
Seat Parry Sound

Parry Sound District is a census division of the Canadian province of Ontario. Its boundaries are District of Muskoka to the south, the Sudbury District to the north-northwest, the French River and Lake Nipissing in the north, Nipissing District and North Bay in the north and east and parts of Algonquin Park in the northeast.

Contents

It is geographically in Southern Ontario, but the Ontario and federal governments administer it as part of Northern Ontario. Like other census divisions in Northern Ontario, it does not have an incorporated county, regional municipality, or district municipality level of government but instead serves as a purely territorial division, like the other districts of Northern Ontario. Instead of an upper tier of municipal administration, all government services in the district are provided by the local municipalities or by the provincial government itself.

Some communities that are not part of any incorporated municipality are served by local services boards. The district is also included in the service areas of FedNor and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. Accordingly, in most administrative contexts, the division is grouped with the Northern Ontario region instead of Southern Ontario, which is mainly geographic.

Along with the neighbouring Muskoka and Haliburton regions, the Parry Sound District is considered part of Ontario's cottage country, which is geographically in the primary region of Southern Ontario and the secondary region of Central Ontario. The district is commonly divided into two subregions, West Parry Sound and East Parry Sound, the latter of which is often referred to as the Almaguin Highlands.

Subdivisions

Communities within these subdivisions are added in parentheses.

Towns:

Townships:

Villages:

Unorganized areas:

First Nations

Reserves:

Original geographic townships

Status of geographic townships in Parry Sound District
TownshipUnorganizedIncorporatedAnnexed/Amalgamated
Armour Green check.svg
Bethune Annexed by the Town of Kearney.
Blair Green check.svg
Brown Green check.svg
Burpee Part of the Municipality of Whitestone.
Burton Part of the Municipality of Whitestone.
Carling Green check.svg
Chapman Part of the Municipality of Magnetawan.
Christie Part of the Municipality of Seguin.
Conger Part of the Municipality of the Archipelago, with a small part in the Municipality of Seguin.
Cowper Part of the Municipality of the Archipelago.
Croft Part of the Municipality of Whitestone, with a small part in the Municipality of Magnetawan.
East Mills Green check.svg
Ferguson Annexed by McDougall Township.
Ferrie Part of the Municipality of Whitestone.
Foley Part of the Municipality of Seguin.
Gurd Annexed by Nipissing Township.
Hagerman Part of the Municipality of Whitestone.
Hardy Green check.svg
Harrison Green check.svg (part)Most became part of the Municipality of the Archipelago.
Henvey Green check.svg (part)Northern section was transferred to the Town of Killarney in Sudbury District.
Humphrey Part of the Municipality of Seguin.
Joly Green check.svg
Laurier Green check.svg
Lount Green check.svg
Machar Green check.svg
McConkey Green check.svg
McDougall Green check.svg
McKellar Green check.svg
McKenzie Part of the Municipality of Whitestone.
McMurrich Part of the Township of McMurrich/Monteith.
Monteith Western two-thirds became part of the Municipality of Seguin, while the eastern third became part of the Township of McMurrich/Monteith.
Mowat Green check.svg (part)Part transferred to the Town of Killarney in Sudbury District
North Himsworth Green check.svgNow the Municipality of Callander.
Nipissing Green check.svg
Patterson Green check.svg
Perry Green check.svg
Pringle Green check.svg
Proudfoot Annexed by the Town of Kearney.
Ryerson Green check.svg
Shawanaga Green check.svg (part)Most became part of the Municipality of the Archipelago.
South Himsworth Annexed by the Municipality of Powassan.
Spence Green check.svg
Strong Green check.svg
Wallbridge Green check.svg
Wilson Green check.svg

History

The district falls under the Robinson-Huron Treaty in 1850. The Anishinaabeg/Anishinaabek - Ojibway, Odawa, and Potawatomi communities reside in the District of Parry Sound, which also encompasses the lands of the Wasauksing, Shawanaga, Magnetawan, Dokis, and Henvey Inlet First Nations. [2]

During the early part of the 20th century, the area was a popular subject for the many scenic artworks of Tom Thomson and members of the Group of Seven.

Forest fire protection history

The Parry Sound Forest Fire District was founded by Ontario's former Department of Lands and Forests (now the MNR) in 1922 as one of 17 districts to help protect Ontario's forests from fire by early detection from fire towers. The headquarters for the district were housed in the town of Parry Sound. It was the central location for 21 fire tower lookouts, including the Parry Sound fire tower, which was erected in the same location as the modern lookout tower at 17 George Street. The other 20 towers in the district were: Pickerel River CPR, Byng Inlet, Still River, Pointe au Baril, Pakesley, Pickerel River CNR, Key Junction, Ardbeg, Spence, Go Home, Loring, Stormy Lake (Restoule), Nipissing, Boulter, Lount, Laurier, Strong, Proudfoot, Stisted and Draper. When a fire was spotted in the forest a tower man would get the degree bearings from his respective tower and radio back the information to headquarters. When one or more tower men from other towers in the area would also call in their bearings, the forest rangers at headquarters could get a 'triangulation' read and plot the exact location of the fire on their map. This way a team of forest firefighters could be dispatched as soon as possible to get the fire under control. In 1969 there remained only 4 actively staffed towers: Ardbeg, Go Home, Stormy Lake, and Boulter. These would all be phased out shortly after when aerial firefighting techniques were employed in the 1970s.

Demographics

As a census division in the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Parry Sound District had a population of 46,909 living in 20,848 of its 35,640 total private dwellings, a change of 9.5% from its 2016 population of 42,824. With a land area of 9,113.92 km2 (3,518.90 sq mi), it had a population density of 5.1/km2 (13.3/sq mi) in 2021. [1]

Canada census – Parry Sound District community profile
2021 2016 2011
Population46,909 (+9.5% from 2016)42,824 (+1.6% from 2011)42,162 (3.0% from 2006)
Land area9,113.92 km2 (3,518.90 sq mi)9,326.48 km2 (3,600.97 sq mi)9,322.80 km2 (3,599.55 sq mi)
Population density5.1/km2 (13/sq mi)4.6/km2 (12/sq mi)4.5/km2 (12/sq mi)
Median age55.2 (M: 55.2, F: 55.6)52.6 (M: 52.3, F: 53.0)
Private dwellings35,640 (total)  20,848 (occupied)35,226 (total)  18,679 (occupied)33,764 (total) 
Median household income$72,500$60,251
References: 2021 [3] 2016 [4] 2011 [5] earlier [6] [7]
Historical census populations – Parry Sound District
YearPop.±%
1921 26,860—    
1931 25,900−3.6%
1941 30,083+16.2%
1951 27,371−9.0%
1956 28,095+2.6%
1961 29,632+5.5%
YearPop.±%
1966 28,335−4.4%
1971 30,244+6.7%
1976 32,654+8.0%
1981 33,528+2.7%
1986 33,828+0.9%
1991 38,423+13.6%
YearPop.±%
1996 39,885+3.8%
2001 39,665−0.6%
2006 40,918+3.2%
2011 42,162+3.0%
2016 42,824+1.6%
2021 46,909+9.5%
Population counts are not adjusted for boundary changes.
Source: Statistics Canada [1] [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Archipelago</span> Township in Ontario, Canada

The Archipelago is a township in central Ontario, Canada, along the Georgian Bay in the Parry Sound District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unorganized Centre Parry Sound District</span> Unorganized area in Ontario, Canada

Unorganized Centre Parry Sound District is an unorganized area in central Ontario, Canada, between Georgian Bay and Lake Nipissing in the District of Parry Sound. It is made up of geographic townships which have no governing bodies and which are not incorporated as municipalities. The territory consists of two non-contiguous areas, with the main part located directly south of the French River and Lake Nipissing, and east of Georgian Bay. Shawanaga Township is a small exclave south of it along Highway 69.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Restoule</span> Designated place with Local Services Board in Ontario, Canada

Restoule is a community and designated place in geographic Patterson Township in the Centre Unorganized Part of Parry Sound District in Central Ontario, Canada. It is situated on the Restoule River between Commanda Lake, and Restoule Lake and is part of the Almaguin Highlands region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burk's Falls</span> Village in Ontario, Canada

Burk's Falls is an incorporated village in the Almaguin Highlands region of Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada, located 265 kilometres (165 mi) north of Toronto and 90 kilometres (56 mi) south of North Bay, Ontario. The village, and the waterfall on the site, were named by David Francis Burk of Oshawa, after he selected the land surrounding the waterfall in the Free Land Grant Act. Burk's Falls is part of the Magnetawan River waterway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Restoule Provincial Park</span> Provincial park in Ontario, Canada

Restoule Provincial Park is a provincial park in Parry Sound District in Central Ontario, Canada. It is located between Restoule Lake and Stormy Lake and extends along the banks of the Restoule River to its mouth at the French River in geographic Patterson Township and geographic Hardy Township. The park is located at the western terminus of Highway 534 northwest of Restoule, Ontario. The park offers three hiking trails and is home to coyotes, wolves, bears, otters, pine martens, moose and one of Ontario's largest white-tailed deer herds. It is also home to over 90 species of birds including the peregrine falcon and the heron. Camping areas include Bells Point, Putts Point and Kettle Point. Many hike the well-marked trail to the 100-foot (30 m) fire tower overlooking Stormy Lake. It is one of two provincial parks found in the Almaguin Highlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Callander, Ontario</span> Canadian township established 1891

The Municipality of Callander is a township in central Ontario, Canada, located at the southeast end of Lake Nipissing in the Almaguin Highlands region of the District of Parry Sound. The municipality is located on Callander Bay, just south of North Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nipissing, Ontario</span> Township in Ontario, Canada

Nipissing is an incorporated (political) township in Parry Sound District in Central Ontario, Canada. It is on Lake Nipissing and is part of the Almaguin Highlands region. Nipissing was surveyed between 1874 and 1881, and was incorporated in 1888. Among the first settlers in the area were the Chapman and Beatty families. Nipissing Township annexed Gurd Township in 1970. The township also contains a community named Nipissing, which is located on the South River near Chapman's Landing, on the South Bay of Lake Nipissing. The township administrative offices are located in Nipissing.

Kearney is a town and municipality in the Almaguin Highlands region of Parry Sound District of Ontario, Canada. With a landmass of 528 square kilometres and a year-round population of 974 in the Canada 2021 Census, Kearney claims to be the "Biggest Little Town in Ontario."

King's Highway 124, commonly known as Highway 124, is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. The highway connects Highway 400 in Parry Sound with Highway 11 in Sundridge, a distance of 91.2 km (56.7 mi), including a 15.4 km (9.6 mi) concurrency with Highway 520. It is one of several highways in Central Ontario to provide this connection through the Muskoka and Parry Sound region, and the northernmost provincial highway to do so south of Highway 17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Powassan</span> Municipality in Ontario, Canada

Powassan is a municipality in the Canadian province of Ontario, located near North Bay. Powassan is located in the Almaguin Highlands region of Parry Sound District, at its easternmost boundary with the Nipissing District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magnetawan</span> Municipality in Ontario, Canada

Magnetawan is a township in the Almaguin Highlands region of the Parry Sound District in the Canadian province of Ontario, as well as the name of the primary population centre in the township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitestone, Ontario</span> Municipality in Ontario, Canada

Whitestone is a municipality in the Canadian province of Ontario, as well as the name of a community within the municipality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joly, Ontario</span> Township in Ontario, Canada

Joly is a township in the Almaguin Highlands region of Parry Sound District of the Canadian province of Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Near North District School Board</span> School board in Ontario, Canada

The Near North District School Board administers public education in an area of Ontario that is includes all of Parry Sound District, plus a northerly portion of Muskoka District and the western portion of Nipissing District. It includes the communities of North Bay, Parry Sound, Mattawa and the Almaguin Highlands.

Lake Cecebe is a lake in the Almaguin Highlands region of the Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada. Lake Cecebe is part of the Magnetawan River waterway. The lake has over 20 miles of shoreline. The village of Burk's Falls is located upstream of Lake Cecebe on the Magnetawan River and the historic village of Magnetawan, Ontario is located where the river exits Lake Cecebe and flows into Ahmic Lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Almaguin Highlands</span> Inter-region in Ontario, Canada

The Almaguin Highlands Region in Ontario, Canada, covers approximately 5,200 km2 (2,000 sq mi) comprising the eastern half of Parry Sound District. It is bounded by Muskoka in the south, and by Lake Nipissing and Nipissing District in the north. The eastern edge abuts the western boundary of Algonquin Provincial Park, whereas the western boundary of the Almaguin Highlands is generally regarded to be the mid east-west point of Parry Sound District. Originally derived from the words Algonquin, Magnetawan, and Seguin. the name Almaguin is now used to describe the marketing region of East Parry Sound.

The Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations is a tribal council of First Nations in the Georgian Bay region of Ontario, Canada. The council consists of the Dokis, Henvey Inlet, Magnetawan and Wasauksing First Nations in the Parry Sound District, the Wahnapitae First Nation near Sudbury and the Nipissing First Nation near Sturgeon Falls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ontario Highway 529</span> Ontario provincial highway

Secondary Highway 529, commonly referred to as Highway 529, is a provincially maintained secondary highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. Located within Parry Sound District, the highway follows a 25.7-kilometre (16.0 mi) route, from its southern terminus at Highway 69 near Pointe au Baril to its northern terminus at the Highway 69 crossing of the Magnetawan River near Byng Inlet. Two spur routes, Highway 529A and Highway 645, branch off the highway to serve the communities of Bayfield Inlet and Byng Inlet, respectively. The route was established along the present alignment of Highway 529A in 1956. It was relocated in 1961 along the former routing of Highway 69 when a bypass opened through the area, with the former alignment being renumbered as Highway 529A.

Pringle is an unorganized geographic township in Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada. It is topographically part of the Almaguin Highlands region, and is part of the census subdivision of Unorganized Centre Parry Sound District. The township includes the communities of Bear Valley, Carr, Farleys Corners and Golden Valley. Although not an incorporated municipality, the township is served by two local services boards: Bear Valley and Golden Valley are served by the LSB of Loring, Port Loring and District, while Carr and Farleys Corners are served by the LSB of Restoule.

Wallbridge is an unorganized geographic township in Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada. Part of the census subdivision of Unorganized Centre Parry Sound District, the township includes the communities of Britt, Byng Inlet and Harris Lake and the rail sidings of Drocourt and North Magnetawan. Although not an incorporated municipality, Britt and Byng Inlet are jointly served by a local services board.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Parry Sound, District (DIS) Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  2. ↑ "Land Acknowledgement". District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board. District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  3. ↑ "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian census . Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  4. ↑ "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian census . Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  5. ↑ "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian census . Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  6. ↑ "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian census . Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
  7. ↑ "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian census . Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
  8. ↑ "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.
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