Wawa, Ontario

Wawa
Municipality (single-tier)
Municipality of Wawa
Wawa as seen across Wawa Lake
Wawa as seen across Wawa Lake
Wawa is located in Ontario
Wawa
Wawa
Coordinates: 47°59′35″N 84°46′25″W / 47.99306°N 84.77361°W / 47.99306; -84.77361
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
DistrictAlgoma
Established1899
Government
 • MayorMelanie Pilon
 • Federal ridingAlgoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing
 • Prov. ridingAlgoma—Manitoulin
Area
[1]
 • Land411.89 km2 (159.03 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
287 m (942 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total2,705
 • Density6.6/km2 (17/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern Standard Time (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT))
Postal Code
P0S 1K0
Area code705
Websitewww.wawa.cc Edit this at Wikidata

Wawa is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario, located within the Algoma District and associated with Wawa Lake. Previously known as the township of Michipicoten, after a nearby river of that name, the township was officially renamed in 2007 for its largest community of Wawa.[3]

This area was first made for fur trading. In the late 19th century, both gold and iron ore were found and mined, leading to the region's rise as the steel industry developed in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. From 1900 to 1918 the Helen Mine had the highest production of iron ore of any mine in Canada.

The township includes the smaller communities of Michipicoten and Michipicoten River, which are small port settlements on the shore of Lake Superior. These names are from the Ojibwe term for the river.

Demographics

Canada census – Wawa, Ontario community profile
202120162011
Population2,705 (-6.9% from 2016)2,905 (-2.4% from 2011)2,975 (-7.1% from 2006)
Land area411.89 km2 (159.03 sq mi)416.21 km2 (160.70 sq mi)417.78 km2 (161.31 sq mi)
Population density6.6/km2 (17/sq mi)7.0/km2 (18/sq mi)7.1/km2 (18/sq mi)
Median age47.2 (M: 46.4, F: 47.2)46.6 (M: 45.9, F: 47.7)44.1 (M: 43.6, F: 44.8)
Private dwellings1,377 (total)  1,451 (total)  1,517 (total) 
Median household income$80,000$66,752$53,354
Notes: "Michipicoten Community Profile" prior to 2009.
References: 2021[4] 2016[5] 2011[6]

Population trend:[7][6][5][4]

  • Population in 2021: 2,705
  • Population in 2016: 2,905
  • Population in 2011: 2,977
  • Population in 2006: 3,204
  • Population in 2001: 3,668
  • Population in 1996: 4,145
  • Population in 1991: 4,154

Modern politics in Wawa

The municipal council is made up of one mayor and four councillors. The current mayor is Ron Rody. Councillors Tamara Liddle, Bill Chiasson, James Neufeld and Yvan Besner were elected on October 27, 2014 for four years. After James Neufeld resigned on April 27, 2015, Matthew Morrison was appointed to fill the empty seat on August 10, 2015.[8][9] In 2016, Councillor Tamara Liddle and her husband, Gerry Liddle were investigated and it was revealed that both Gerry Liddle and Councillor Tamara Liddle harassed CAO Chris Wray to try and get a personal benefit to avoid paying taxes. Both were punished by town council.[10] After the 2018 elections, Ron Rody was victorious as mayor and the following councillors were elected: Bill Chiasson, Mitch Hatfield, Robert Reece, and Pat Tait.[11]

Tourist attractions and notable events

Goose sculpture in Wawa overlooking Highway 17

The community is known for its 8.5-metre (28-foot) metal statue of a Canada goose, which was built in 1960, and was dedicated to the community in 1961. Wawa takes its name from the Ojibwe word for "wild goose", wewe. Wawa was called wild goose in The Song of Hiawatha. On July 5, 2010, the Canada Post made a commemorative stamp of the Wawa Goose as part of its Roadside Attractions collection.[12] On July 1, 2017, a new Wawa Goose was made to replace the second aging goose.[13]

The town is also known for snowmobiling and sport fishing. The Voyageur Hiking Trail passes through the town. One important shopping location is Young's General Store, home of the locally famous Pickle Barrel.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Wawa, Municipality (MU) [Census Subdivision], Ontario". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  2. ↑ "Wawa Airport". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. Archived from the original on 2020-07-17. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Annual changes to census subdivision codes, names and types, between 2006 and 2011, by province and territory, and by year". Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) 2011. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  7. ↑ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006 census.
  8. ↑ "Council to Appoint Matthew Morrison as New Councillor – Was Process Tainted?". Wawa News. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2016.[permanent dead link]
  9. ↑ "Matthew Morrison Sworn in as New Councillor". Wawa News. 13 August 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2016.[permanent dead link]
  10. ↑ "Municipal Council Takes Action against Councillor Tamara & Gerry Liddle". Wawa News. August 10, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  11. ↑ [1][permanent dead link]
  12. ↑ Canada Post Stamp Details, July to September 2010, p 8, Volume XIX, No. 3
  13. ↑ "Wawa Goose is Unveiled!". Wawa News. Retrieved December 11, 2018.