Hearst, Ontario

Hearst
Town (single-tier)
Town of Hearst
Hearst
Coordinates: 49°42′N 83°40′W / 49.700°N 83.667°WCoordinates: 49°42′N 83°40′W / 49.700°N 83.667°W
Country  Canada
Province  Ontario
District Cochrane
Established 1913
Government
  Type Town
  Mayor Roger Sigouin
  Governing Body Hearst Town Council
  MP Carol Hughes (NDP)
  MPP Gilles Bisson (NDP)
Area[1]
  Land 98.73 km2 (38.12 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
  Total 5,090
  Density 51.6/km2 (134/sq mi)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
  Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Postal code FSA P0L
Area code(s) 705
Website www.hearst.ca

Hearst is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is located in Northern Ontario in the District of Cochrane, approximately 92 kilometres (57 mi) west of Kapuskasing, approximately 935 kilometres (581 mi) north of Toronto and 520 kilometres (320 mi) east of Thunder Bay along Highway 11. At Hearst, Highway 583 extends northward to Lac-Sainte-Thérèse and southward to Jogues, Coppell and Mead.

History

The town came into being due to the construction of the National Transcontinental Railway in 1913. Established as a divisional point, Hearst is 208 km west of Cochrane and 201 km east of the divisional point of Grant. There is some historical ambiguity with the name Grant as the original site of Hearst was also called Grant and was changed to Hearst in 1911.

Hearst was named to honour William Howard Hearst, then Ontario Minister of Forests and Mines and later Premier of Ontario.[2] It was incorporated in 1922. Many settlers to the town originally came from the province of Quebec. Many also came from Europe and other regions in Canada and the USA.

Culture

93.7% of Hearst's population is francophone.[3] Different cultures can be found in Hearst such as Finn, Slovak, Bulgarian, Chinese, Portuguese, Greek, Ukrainian, First Nations and also Black Canadians.

The town is home to the Université de Hearst, a federated school of Laurentian University in Sudbury. The Hearst Public Library was founded on December 17, 1974. In its beginning, the library was situated in the basement of the Hearst High School where it shared its space with the school library. On June 4th, 1984, the library moves to its present location, 801 George Street (formerly Stedman's).The primary industry of Hearst is forestry, with both mills and tree-planting organizations. Hearst is a four season destination. Many years ago, the town proclaimed itself the Moose Capital of Canada.[4] Local outdoor activities include fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, camping, swimming, canoeing, and golf.

Industry

Hearst has a long tradition of being a "lumber town". Currently the major employers include a Tembec hard and soft wood facility as well as a plywood mill operated by Columbia Forest Products.

University of Hearst, Hearst campus

Education

Hearst has both elementary and high schools (public and Catholic). It also has the Université de Hearst, a post-secondary institution federated with Laurentian University in Sudbury. Education can also be sought at the collegiate level with Collège Boréal

Transportation

Hearst is served by Hearst (René Fontaine) Municipal Airport.

It is the northern terminus for a Canadian National Railways-operated passenger train service from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, running over the tracks of the former Algoma Central Railway.[3] Hearst is also the northern terminus for Ontario Northland's coach service.

Demographics

Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1941995    
19511,723+73.2%
19612,373+37.7%
19916,079+156.2%
19966,049−0.5%
20015,825−3.7%
20065,620−3.5%
20115,090−9.4%
[8][9]

Notable people

Media

Radio

Hearst's only local radio service is provided by CINN, a community radio station. All other radio stations available in the community are rebroadcasters of stations from Kapuskasing, Timmins or Sudbury.

Television

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Hearst census profile". 2011 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  2. 'The Honourable Sir William Howard Hearst (Premier 1914-1919)'
  3. 3.0 3.1 "The French Connection with a local twist". Soo Today. 2013-08-30. Archived from the original on 2013-09-03. Retrieved 2013-09-03. Why go to Quebec to speak French when you can hop on the Algoma Central train to the 95 percent francophone city of Hearst - 96 miles north of the Sault!
  4. Northern Ontario - Hearst, Ontario - James Bay Frontier
  5. "2011 Community Profiles". Canada 2011 Census. Statistics Canada. July 5, 2013. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  6. "2006 Community Profiles". Canada 2006 Census. Statistics Canada. March 30, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  7. "2001 Community Profiles". Canada 2001 Census. Statistics Canada. February 17, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  8. 143.pdf, Canada Year Book 1955
  9. 191.pdf, Canada Year Book 1967

External links