:Chapleau, Ontario
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Chapleau
|official_name = Township of Chapleau
|settlement_type = Township (single-tier)
|other_name =
|native_name =
|nickname =
|motto = Prosperity, Industry
|image_skyline = Chapleau Ontario.jpg
|imagesize =
|image_alt = The railway yard cuts through the centre of Chapleau
|image_flag =
|flag_size =
|image_seal =
|seal_size =
|image_shield =
|shield_size =
|image_blank_emblem =
|blank_emblem_size =
|image_map =
|mapsize =
|map_caption =
|pushpin_map = Canada Ontario
|pushpin_mapsize =
|pushpin_label_position =
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Canada
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_name1 = Ontario
|subdivision_type2 = District
|subdivision_name2 = Sudbury
|subdivision_type3 =
|subdivision_name3 =
|subdivision_type4 =
|subdivision_name4 =
|government_type = Township
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_name = Ryan Bignucolo
|leader_title1 = MP
|leader_name1 = Carol Hughes (NDP)
|leader_title2 = MPP
|leader_name2 = Michael Mantha (NDP)
|established_title = Established
|established_date = 1885
|established_title2 = Incorporated
|established_date2 = 1901
|established_title3 =
|established_date3 =
|total_type = Total
|area_footnotes = {{SCref |year=2021 |unit=csd |code={{#property:P3012}} |access-date=2025-01-10}}
|area_total_km2 =
|area_land_km2 = 13.20
|area_water_km2 =
|area_water_percent =
|area_urban_km2 = 0.59
|population_as_of = 2021
|population_note =
|population_total = 1,942
|population_density_km2 = 147.1
|population_urban = 1,144
|population_density_urban_km2 = 1,929.5
|timezone = EST
|utc_offset = −05:00
|timezone_DST = EDT
|utc_offset_DST = −04:00
|elevation_point = at
weather station
|elevation_m = 448.1
|postal_code_type = Postal code span
|postal_code = P0M 1K0
|area_code = 705, 249
|coordinates = {{coord|47|50|38|N|83|24|01|W|region:CA-ON|notes={{Cite cgndb|FAPXO|Chapleau}}|display=inline,title}}
|website = {{Official URL}}
|footnotes =
}}
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.
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.{{cite web |title=Hudson's Bay Company: Chapleau |url=https://pam.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PAM_AUTHORITY/AUTH_DESC_DET_REP/SISN%20461?sessionsearch |website=pam.minisisinc.com |publisher=Archives of Manitoba - Keystone Archives Descriptive Database |access-date=10 January 2025}}
Chapleau was incorporated as the Corporation of the Township of Chapleau on February 1, 1901.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chapleaulibrary.com/gevans/9.html |title=Chapleau's First Century, 1901–2001 |last=Evans |first=George |website=Chapleau Library |access-date=August 22, 2016}}
Louis Hémon, author of the French novel Maria Chapdelaine, was struck and killed by a train in Chapleau on 8 July 1913.{{Cite news|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-Hemon|title=Louis Hemon {{!}} French author|work=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=2017-10-14|language=en}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.chapleau.ca/portal/en/visitors?paf_gear_id=1000025&itemId=2500419&returnUrl=%2Fportal%2Fen%2Fvisitors |title=Information About Chapleau |publisher=Chapleau community portal |access-date=2011-04-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927213032/http://www.chapleau.ca/portal/en/visitors?paf_gear_id=1000025&itemId=2500419&returnUrl=%2Fportal%2Fen%2Fvisitors |archive-date=2011-09-27 }}Ontario Department of Highways (1956). Ontario Road Map [map]. Cartography by C.P. Robins. Section J13–14
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, {{convert|227|km|abbr=on}} 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 {{cvt|7,000|km2}}, 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.
{{Weather box
|location = Chapleau (Chapleau Airport)
Climate ID: 6061361; coordinates {{coordinates|47|49|12|N|83|20|48|W|type:airport_region:CA-ON|name=Chapleau Airport}}; elevation: {{convert|448.1|m|abbr=on}}; 1991−2020 normals, extremes 1916−present
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
| Jan maximum humidex = 7.0
| Feb maximum humidex = 9.6
| Mar maximum humidex = 28.7
| Apr maximum humidex = 28.5
| May maximum humidex = 39.1
| Jun maximum humidex = 40.8
| Jul maximum humidex = 41.8
| Aug maximum humidex = 41.0
| Sep maximum humidex = 37.2
| Oct maximum humidex = 29.2
| Nov maximum humidex = 23.0
| Dec maximum humidex = 10.7
| year maximum humidex = 41.8
|Jan record high C = 7.2
|Feb record high C = 14.4
|Mar record high C = 26.2
|Apr record high C = 30.0
|May record high C = 33.9
|Jun record high C = 39.4
|Jul record high C = 39.4
|Aug record high C = 35.6
|Sep record high C = 35.6
|Oct record high C = 27.2
|Nov record high C = 19.4
|Dec record high C = 15.0
|year record high C = 39.4
|Jan high C = -9.2
|Feb high C = -6.8
|Mar high C = -0.2
|Apr high C = 7.2
|May high C = 16.3
|Jun high C = 21.9
|Jul high C = 23.6
|Aug high C = 22.2
|Sep high C = 17.2
|Oct high C = 8.9
|Nov high C = 0.8
|Dec high C = -5.8
|year high C = 8.0
|Jan mean C = -15.5
|Feb mean C = -13.6
|Mar mean C = -7.0
|Apr mean C = 1.1
|May mean C = 9.6
|Jun mean C = 15.3
|Jul mean C = 17.4
|Aug mean C = 16.2
|Sep mean C = 11.5
|Oct mean C = 4.6
|Nov mean C = -3.3
|Dec mean C = -10.6
|year mean C = 2.1
|Jan low C = -21.6
|Feb low C = -20.4
|Mar low C = -13.9
|Apr low C = -5.1
|May low C = 2.7
|Jun low C = 8.7
|Jul low C = 11.2
|Aug low C = 10.1
|Sep low C = 5.9
|Oct low C = 0.1
|Nov low C = -7.3
|Dec low C = -15.5
|year low C = -3.8
|Jan record low C = -50.0
|Feb record low C = -46.7
|Mar record low C = -43.9
|Apr record low C = -33.3
|May record low C = -13.3
|Jun record low C = -7.2
|Jul record low C = -3.0
|Aug record low C = -7.8
|Sep record low C = -10.0
|Oct record low C = -18.9
|Nov record low C = -37.2
|Dec record low C = -47.2
|year record low C = -50.0
| Jan chill = -56.4
| Feb chill = -50.7
| Mar chill = -45.5
| Apr chill = -30.2
| May chill = -14.1
| Jun chill = -4.4
| Jul chill = 0.0
| Aug chill = 0.0
| Sep chill = -6.7
| Oct chill = -21.3
| Nov chill = -34.1
| Dec chill = -46.0
| year chill = -56.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 51.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 41.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 47.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 65.6
|May precipitation mm = 71.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 83.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 85.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 77.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 101.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 88.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 71.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 54.8
|year precipitation mm = 841.4
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 3.0
|Feb rain mm = 2.1
|Mar rain mm = 13.6
|Apr rain mm = 36.4
|May rain mm = 65.6
|Jun rain mm = 83.5
|Jul rain mm = 85.7
|Aug rain mm = 77.6
|Sep rain mm = 100.5
|Oct rain mm = 76.2
|Nov rain mm = 27.9
|Dec rain mm = 7.0
|year rain mm = 579.1
|snow colour = green
|Jan snow cm = 56.1
|Feb snow cm = 45.4
|Mar snow cm = 37.2
|Apr snow cm = 27.5
|May snow cm = 5.4
|Jun snow cm = 0.0
|Jul snow cm = 0.0
|Aug snow cm = 0.0
|Sep snow cm = 0.6
|Oct snow cm = 11.4
|Nov snow cm = 46.2
|Dec snow cm = 54.4
|year snow cm = 284.2
|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 19.2
|Feb precipitation days = 15.5
|Mar precipitation days = 13.8
|Apr precipitation days = 12.5
|May precipitation days = 13.6
|Jun precipitation days = 14.4
|Jul precipitation days = 15.5
|Aug precipitation days = 14.8
|Sep precipitation days = 16.5
|Oct precipitation days = 18.7
|Nov precipitation days = 19.0
|Dec precipitation days = 19.7
|year precipitation days = 193.1
|unit rain days = 0.2 mm
|Jan rain days = 1.5
|Feb rain days = 1.1
|Mar rain days = 3.5
|Apr rain days = 7.3
|May rain days = 12.7
|Jun rain days = 14.4
|Jul rain days = 15.5
|Aug rain days = 14.8
|Sep rain days = 16.4
|Oct rain days = 15.6
|Nov rain days = 7.3
|Dec rain days = 2.9
|year rain days = 112.8
|unit snow days = 0.2 cm
|Jan snow days = 19.0
|Feb snow days = 15.3
|Mar snow days = 11.8
|Apr snow days = 7.1
|May snow days = 1.6
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.38
|Oct snow days = 6.0
|Nov snow days = 15.1
|Dec snow days = 18.5
|year snow days = 94.8
|humidity colour = green
| time day =15:00 LST
|Jan humidity = 74.3
|Feb humidity = 66.6
|Mar humidity = 55.2
|Apr humidity = 50.7
|May humidity = 47.2
|Jun humidity = 52.0
|Jul humidity = 56.3
|Aug humidity = 59.4
|Sep humidity = 63.8
|Oct humidity = 68.9
|Nov humidity = 76.8
|Dec humidity = 79.5
|year humidity = 62.6
|source 1 = Environment and Climate Change Canada{{cite web
| publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada
| url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=ON&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=158000000&dispBack=0
| title = Chapleau A, Ontario
| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010
| access-date = Oct 9, 2024}}{{cite web
| publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=chapleau+2&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2017&Year=2017&Month=3&Day=5&selRowPerPage=25
| title = Chapleau 2
| work = Canadian Climate Data
| access-date = 5 March 2017}}{{cite web
| publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=chapleau&searchMethod=contains&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2017&optLimit=specDate&Year=1967&Month=1&Day=1&selRowPerPage=25
| title = Chapleau
| work = Canadian Climate Data
| access-date = 5 March 2017}}{{cite web
| publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=1994-02-01%7C2015-03-12&dlyRange=1978-07-01%7C2015-03-12&mlyRange=1978-01-01%7C2014-12-01&StationID=4111&Prov=ON&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2017&selRowPerPage=25&Line=2&searchMethod=contains&Month=3&Day=5&txtStationName=chapleau&timeframe=2&Year=2012
| title = Daily Data Report for March 2012
| work = Canadian Climate Data
| access-date = 5 March 2017}}
|date=August 2010
}}
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 {{percentage|{{#expr:1942-1964}}|1964|1| % = per cent}} from its 2016 population of 1,964. With a land area of {{cvt|13.2|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|1942|13.2|km2|prec=1}} in 2021.
{{Canada census
|location = Chapleau
|2021_population=1,942 | 2021_pop_delta=-1.1 | 2021_land_area=13.20 | 2021_pop_density=147.1
|2021_median_age=47.6 | 2021_median_age_m=47.6 | 2021_median_age_f=47.6
|2021_total_pvt_dwell=973 |2021_occ_pvt_dwell=867 |2021_mean_hh_income=84,000
|2021_geocode=2021A00053552092 | 2021_access_date=2023-10-19
|2016_population=1,964| 2016_pop_delta=-7.2 | 2016_land_area=14.22 | 2016_pop_density=138.2
|2016_median_age=47.2 | 2016_median_age_m=47.8 | 2016_median_age_f=46.6
|2016_total_pvt_dwell=1,022 | 2016_mean_hh_income=72,128 | 2016_access_date=2019-07-10
|2011_population=2,116 | 2011_pop_delta=-10.1 | 2011_land_area=14.27 | 2011_pop_density=148.3
|2011_median_age= | 2011_median_age_m= | 2011_median_age_f=
|2011_total_pvt_dwell=1,046 | 2011_mean_hh_income= | 2011_access_date=2012-02-15
|2006_population=2,354 | 2006_pop_delta=-16.9 | 2006_land_area=14.27 | 2006_pop_density=165.0
|2006_median_age=40.0 | 2006_median_age_m=39.9 | 2006_median_age_f=40.1
|2006_total_pvt_dwell=1,136 | 2006_mean_hh_income=58,763 | 2006_access_date=2011-04-13
|2001_population=2,832 | 2001_pop_delta=-3.5 | 2001_land_area=15.02 | 2001_pop_density=188.6
|2001_median_age=35.9 | 2001_median_age_m=35.9 | 2001_median_age_f=35.8
|2001_total_pvt_dwell=1,179 | 2001_mean_hh_income=47,941 | 2001_access_date=2011-04-13
}}
{{Historical populations
|title = {{Nowrap|Historical census populations –}} Chapleau, Ontario
|type = Canada
|align = none
|cols = 3
|percentages =
|footnote = Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 census{{cite journal |title=1971 Census of Canada - Population Census Subdivisions (Historical) |journal=Catalogue 92-702 Vol I, part 1 (Bulletin 1.1-2) |date=July 1973 |pages=76, 139 |publisher=Statistics Canada}}
| 1921 |2236
| 1931 |2238
| 1941 |1867
| 1951 |2619
| 1956 |3407
| 1961 |3785
| 1966 |3778
| 1971 |3389
| 1976 |3294
| 1981 |3243
| 1986 |3184
| 1991 |3077
|1996| 2934
|2001| 2832
|2006| 2354
|2011| 2116
|2016| 1964
|2021| 1942
}}
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.chapleauedc.ca/visiting/outfitters.php |title=Outfitters and Lodges |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321125412/http://www.chapleauedc.ca/visiting/outfitters.php |archive-date=2014-03-21 }}
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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chapleau.ca/uploads/12/Doc_634859769902203493.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-08-25 |archive-date=2014-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115123/http://www.chapleau.ca/uploads/12/Doc_634859769902203493.pdf |url-status=dead }}
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.{{Cite web |url=https://udn.com/news/story/121424/4659358 |title=Mayor & Council – Township of Chapleau |website=www.chapleau.ca |access-date=2023-08-22 |archive-date=2020-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625000000/https://udn.com/news/story/121424/4659358 |url-status=dead }}
Wireless mesh Internet
{{Main|Project Chapleau}}
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."Small Town in the Internet Society: Chapleau is No Longer an Island." American Behavioral Scientist 53 (9): 1344–66. {{DOI|10.1177/0002764210361689}}
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.[http://www.chapleau.ca/portal/en/home/rss?paf_gear_id=1000025&itemId=4000024 CFJW-FM launch announcement] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706172121/http://www.chapleau.ca/portal/en/home/rss?paf_gear_id=1000025&itemId=4000024 |date=July 6, 2011 }}, August 31, 2007.
= Radio =
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Frequency !Call sign !Branding !Format !Owner !Notes |
| FM 89.9
|Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |rebroadcasts CBCS-FM Sudbury |
| FM 91.9
|CBON-FM-28 |
| FM 93.7
| | |Emergency alert |
| FM 95.9
| | |Community-owned rebroadcaster of CHYC-FM Sudbury[https://archive.today/20070617172542/http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2007/db2007-70.htm CRTC Decision 2007–70] |
| FM 100.7
|CJWA-FM-1 | | |
= Television =
Notable people
- Floyd Curry (1925–2006), NHL player and four-time Stanley Cup winner
- Robert Deluce, airline executive and current president and CEO of Porter Airlines
- Robert Fife, journalist and author
- Liz Howard, poet and winner of the Griffin Poetry Prize
- Adélard Lafrance (1912–1995), professional ice hockey player
- Rick Norlock, federal Member of Parliament
- Graham Ragsdale, decorated Canadian Army sniper
- Jason Ward, 1997 first-round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens
See also
References
Further reading
- {{cite book |last=Crichton |first=Vincent |title=Pioneering in Northern Ontario: History of the Chapleau District |year=1975 |location=Belleville, Ontario |publisher=Mika Publishing |isbn=0-919303-03-X}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{official website|http://www.chapleau.ca}}
{{Geographic location
| Center = Chapleau
| Northeast = Chapleau 75
| Southeast = Chapleau 74A
| North = {{nowrap|Unorganized North Sudbury}}
| South = {{nowrap|Unorganized North Sudbury}}
| East = {{nowrap|Unorg. North Sudbury}}
Chapleau 61A
Chapleau 61
Chapleau 74
| West = {{nowrap|Unorg. North Sudbury}}
| Southwest = {{nowrap|Chapleau Cree Fox Lake}}
}}
{{Sudbury District, Ontario}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Hudson's Bay Company trading posts
Category:Municipalities in Sudbury District