Wawa Student Appointed Algoma Student Trustee for CSC Nouvelon

Students with local French Catholic schools have a couple new representatives to the board - including one from Wawa.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says École secondaire Saint-Joseph Grade 11 student Havana Thibodeau-Bello will be the new student trustee for the Algoma District in the 2026-27 school year.

This comes the week after Thibodeau-Bello was recognized by the board for "her leadership, vision, and commitment to school and community life" and for "embod[ying] the values of responsibility, collaboration, and civic engagement" by serving as Prime Minister for her school's Student Parliament and sitting on the board's Student Senate.

The board's also announced Emilie Philippe - a Grade 11 student from Val Caron - will serve as the representative for the Sudbury/Manitoulin District.

The new student trustees start in those roles August 1st.

Wawa Council to Consider Montreal Avenue Zoning Amendment in March

Wawa Municipal Council is set to consider a zoning amendment for a Montreal Avenue property next month.

The Municipality of Wawa's issued notice for a public meeting to consider amending the Zoning By-Law to add a residential unit as a permitted use at Montreal Avenue, which is currently zoned as General Industrial.

Additional information's available at the Municipal Office or by contacting CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill or Chief Building Official Kevin Sabourin, while those who want to make a written submission or give an oral statement during the meeting must contact O'Neill by emailing moneill@wawa.cc by 4 pm Monday, March 16th.

The meeting's set to be held Tuesday, March 17th, at 6:30 pm.

CSC Nouvelon Honours Wawa Student for Leadership

A Wawa student's being honoured for her leadership.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon is touting École secondaire Saint-Joseph Grade 11 student Havana Thibodeau-Bello, saying "through her leadership, vision, and commitment to school and community life, [she] embodies the values of responsibility, collaboration, and civic engagement that lie at the heart of the education offered" in its schools, as she serves as Prime Minister for her school's Student Parliament and sits on the board's Student Senate.

It congratulates her for her involvement and thanks her for "helping give a strong and inspiring voice to francophone students in Northern Ontario".

Superior East CFDC Marks Over $30m in Loans

A local organization is marking a major milestone in supporting businesses.

The Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation is celebrating over $30-million in loans in its over 36 years in operation, something it says has supported over 3000 jobs - that includes over $2-million in local and regional loans approved last year, impacting 46 jobs and helping "leverage" over $926,000 from other sources.

Covering Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Chapleau, and neighbouring First Nations, the Superior East CFDC provides business counselling & investment services to small & medium-sized businesses, among other services.

Chapleau to Hold Final February Meeting

Chapleau Town Council's set to meet tonight.

Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting is a request from Ecole Sacre-Coeur for cross walk patrol ahead of the start of school and after the school day ends, as well as a letter from Maison Boreal Home and a request regarding Wildwood Bible Camp.

There are five "in-camera" items, all human resources items.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm tonight in Civic Centre Council Chambers - details on accessing it electronically can be found on the Township's website.

Wawa Council Opts Against Bear-Proof Refuse Storage

Wawa isn't adding "bear bins" in the community - but the municipality is looking at how to be "bear wise".

Mayor Melanie Pilon explains the idea was brought up in a letter to the Municipality.

Mayor Pilon notes that staff was then asked to look into the idea of "bear resistant refuse storage" - or "bear bins" - like in Chapleau.

Though Council opted against putting in the bins at this time - with Pilon emphasizing "what works for one community doesn't work for another" and Councillor Cathy Cannon suggesting apple trees may be more of an issue than garbage - Mayor Pilon says staff have been asked to monitor and gather data this season.

During discussions in last night's meeting, it was noted that the Municipality's current refuse collection contract with Villeneuve Construction is set to expire next year, so plans are for the staff report to arrive in early summer, before the municipal election.

Wawa Library Hosting Coffee & Culture Event

Those interested in the history of Wawa and area are invited to a well-received event at the Wawa Public Library's tonight.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell touts tonight's event.

Jarrell says Coffee and Culture with Johanna has been a popular event, with "an excellent turnout".

Everyone's welcome to attend the event, which starts at 6 pm tonight - coffee and tea will also be offered.

Wawa Council Holding Post-Family Day Weekend Meeting

Right off the Family Day long weekend, Wawa Municipal Council is holding 2 meetings tonight.

First is a Committee of the Whole meeting, including discussion about a request for "Community Bear-Proof Bins" - like in Chapleau - and monthly reports from department heads.

Next up is a regular Council meeting, including a resolution to adopt and endorse the 2026-2027 Wawa Strategic Plan, as well as a by-law affirming a "Site Plan Agreement" for the former Northern Store property at 75 Broadway Avenue - Council last April approved a rezoning of that property from General Commercial to Residential Apartment.

The meetings will be held back-to-back starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers (the main level boardroom) at the Town Hall, open to the public to attend - can also watch on the Municipality's YouTube channel

Deadline Near for Chapleau Welcome Guide Photo Contest

Time's running out to submit photos for Chapleau's annual Welcome Guide.

Coordinator Hannah James explains the contest.

James reminds the purpose of the Welcome Guide.

James notes "a very small number of openings" are available for Chapleau businesses to sponsor the guide - those interested, and those entering the photo contest, can email hjames@chapleau.ca by tomorrow.

Chapleau CAO Out, Operations Director Interim Replacement

Chapleau's once again without a top administrator.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains Judith Meyntz - who's been Chief Administrative Officer less than three years - is no longer in the role.

Mayor Bignucolo says further information will be provided "in due course", such as the process for more permanently filling the CAO position.

Currently Operations Director, Rejean Raymond has held various management roles with the Township of Chapleau since summer 2019, though he previously held various roles with the Township of Dubreuilville, including CAO, mayor, and councillor.

Chapleau's had a tough time with the role since longtime CAO Allan Pellow retired in 2017, with his successor serving about 3.5 years before a roughly one year search that only saw someone in the role for three months before search efforts started again, running nearly eight months with the subsequent hire lasting about as long before prompting the three-month search that led to the hiring of Meyntz in August 2023.

MVFA Cash Draw's 2nd Early Bird Near

A lucky supporter of Wawa's firefighters will be $1000 richer tomorrow.

As the second early bird draw in their annual cash draw will be held Friday morning, Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association Past President Mike Krell emphasizes the draw supports the local fire department's equipment purchases.

Krell notes the draw also supports local students going into emergency services.

Ticket sales halt today to ensure none get missed for the 8:45 am draw, after which tickets will go back on sale until the final draws at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby - or they sell out.

Wawa Public Library Preparing for Winter Carnival Weekend

Wawa's library is preparing to mark the Winter Carnival weekend.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the Wawa Public Library is bringing back a popular activity.

Jarrell notes a carnival badge is not required for the library event.

The Wawa Winter Carnival schedule can be found in a mailout that was sent to post office boxes or through the Wawa Recreation Facebook page - badges are available at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Chapleau's Taste of the North Winter Carnival Ramping Up

Festivities are ramping up for Chapleau's "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival.

While some events have been underway since Monday, Leisure and Culture Services Director Carole Ouellette says there's "a full day and night of activities" starting this afternoon.

Ouellette highlights events this evening.

A full schedule of events is available through the carnival's Facebook page, while keychains are available at the arena.

APH Launches Survey for Residents

A local health unit wants to hear your thoughts as it determines priorities for the coming years.

Algoma Public Health has launched a survey, asking residents who live and work in the region to share their perspectives, emphasizing that "community input will help shape decisions about programs and services that support families, youth, seniors, and neighbourhoods across Algoma - from health monitoring and community prevention partnerships to emergency preparedness and outbreak control".

Voluntary and anonymous - there is a $50 gift card draw for participants, but info for that is collected separately - the survey's available through the APH website until 4:30 pm February 20th.

Michipicoten Rod & Gun Club Raise Concerns About Proposed Wawa Truck Rest Centre

Wawa's Michipicoten Rod and Gun Club is raising concerns about plans for a new truck rest stop along Highway 17 north of town.

Club President Rocky Alajoki explains the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's proposed location is next to where the club's range has been for decades.

Alajoki says the club's calling for some "safety considerations" to address unauthorized or unintentional access to the club's property or sound and "secondary safety issues".

Wawa Municipal Council heard the Club's concerns on Tuesday night, and gave their backing with a resolution calling for the rest stop to incorporate the necessary health and safety measures such as the requested berm, fencing, and signage, as well as relocation of the proposed picnic and area, truck inspection station and weigh scale away from the border with the range, and that electronic signage be placed along the highway before the rest stop to warn of closures.

The prepared Transportation Environmental Study Report can be found at northernhighwayrestareas.com, while public comments can be emailed to northernhighwayrestareas.canada@egis-group.com but the deadline is just ten days away: Sunday, February 15th.

Hydro One Holding Wawa Open House on Wawa-Timmins Power Line

Hydro One's continuing open houses for a major power line project.

While events were held in Timmins and Chapleau in recent days to discuss the proposed 500 kilovolt Wawa-Timmins Power Line, Hydro One is holding another in Wawa to provide information and get feedback on the project.

Plans are for the line - connecting the Wawa Transformer Station near Wawa and the Porcupine Transmission Station in Timmins - to be in service for 2030.

The Wawa open house will be held at the Legion Hall from 4 pm to 7 pm today, though anyone who can't attend can find information on the project at hydroone.com/wawatimmins

Wawa Council Presented Draft 2026 Capital Budget

Wawa Municipal Council has had its first look at this year's proposed capital budget.

In their Corporate Planning Committee meeting last night, staff presented Council with a draft 2026-27 Capital Budget - which outlined plans for both years - intended to align with the municipality's updated strategic plan and other planning documents.

Led by Treasurer Heather Rainville, department heads outlined plans for approximately $5,768,925 in capital projects for 2026, including redesign studies and renovations for the Town Hall and Fire Hall, improvements to the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, a 3-phase project covering the Ganley Street Storm Sewer, a 2-year project for the Algoma Street and Beck Avenue Watermain and Sanitary Sewer, and continued infrastructure work like cemetery and landfill expansion, pavement preservation, sidewalk and hydrant rehabilitation, and fleet renewal - they also outlined plans for over $9.65-million in capital projects for 2027.

The capital budget presentation was preceeded by the presentation of a proposed Migrating North Tourism Project - which would include work on the Tourist Information Centre and Goose Nest Market, as well as signage - as items from that were included as subject to funding.

Plans are for a revised version of the Capital Budget to come back up to Council with the draft Operating Budget on March 3rd, followed by two weeks for public comment before it goes to a vote.

Council also reviewed the proposed 2026 schedule of fees at the committee meeting, though it also was not put to a vote.

Wawa Council Holding 2 Meetings to Start February

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a pair of meetings tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting including discussion about a request for "Community Bear-Proof Bins" - like in Chapleau - and comments from the Michipicoten Rod and Gun Club regarding the MTO's proposed location for a rest stop along Highway 17, next to the club's property north of town.

Council's also set to discuss public comments on the Strategic Plan refresh, as well as Migrating North Tourism Project, the draft operating and capital budgets and schedule of fees.

That'll be followed by a regular meeting of Council, which includes resolutions regarding levy increases for Algoma Public Health and a call for the provincial government to establish an Airport Capital Assistance Program, approving the 2026 budget for the Superior East OPP Detachment Board, and commenting to the MTO about the proposed Highway 17 rest stop, as well as by-laws confirming agreements for voting services and for a lease for the Wawa Goose Seniors Centre.

The meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight in Council Chambers -the main level boardroom of Town Hall - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

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