The Township of Assiginack is an active
partner in promoting Manitoulin Living,
an initiative designed to attract new
residents to Manitoulin Island. We have
discovered that quite often, people who
visit the Island, develop lifelong
relationships with the area.
Click here for a brief history of the
Manitoulin Living Project.
Manitoulin is renowned for its “back to
nature” or unspoiled environment - the
largest freshwater Island in the world;
it has often been referred to as the
“Jewel of the Great Lakes”. There are
numerous distinctive features that
contribute to the special appeal of the
Island; crystal clear waters (80+ inland
lakes), unique cultural diversities,
history, geology, flora, fauna, and
dazzling starlit skies all exist in
harmony and form a wholesomeness that
has made Manitoulin famous.
Many visitors
describe Island residents as being
exceptionally kind, while possessing a
small town sense of community and an
eagerness to lend a helping hand. There
is undeniably an air of peacefulness and
a more relaxed pace here. People say
that the worries of the world grow
fainter once they cross the bridge and
arrive on the Island - adding to a
feeling of safety and peace of mind in a
serene and pastoral island setting.
Our proximity to the North Channel has
also raised the profile of the area.
Yesterday’s voyageur trade route and
today’s internationally popular cruising
destination, the North Channel attracts
foreign and domestic boaters and cruise
ships annually to its picturesque
sailing grounds. Private and public
marinas on Manitoulin offer residents
and visitors various levels of service
to harbour their vessels and easily
access the magnificence of the Great
Lakes.
There are a vast array of sport and
recreational activities that can be
pursued on Manitoulin. Our small
township alone has a variety of
dedicated individuals and organizations
that generously contribute their time
and expertise to benefit people, events
and activities. Please
see our Community Profile, which
includes a list of volunteer groups.
The term “It takes a community to raise
a child” fares well on Manitoulin.
Young families have described our
schools and educational system as being
superior. School sponsored activities
regularly uphold close-knit
relationships with the communities,
allowing our youth good opportunities to
develop and interact socially,
physically and academically as they
pursue their future dreams. Post
secondary programs are available through
Cambrian College, Contact North,
Kenjgewin Teg and via the Internet.
High-speed Internet and advanced
telecommunications technologies has
played a significant role in developing
knowledge based sharing; fostering
positive benefits to virtually every
sector of our economy by enabling new
opportunities for increased community
and economic development.
The Township of Assiginack recently
conducted capital upgrades to our
Medical Clinic and now features a Family
Health Team model for delivery of
improved healthcare locally. This
advancement coincides with articles that
have been referenced in the Manitoulin
Living website showing Manitoulin in the
forefront as having the most doctors per
person in the Province.
In 2001, the Provincial Government
announced a vision to promote and manage
growth in Ontario - one that would
sustain a strong economy, build strong
communities and ensure a clean, healthy
environment. This vision, called
‘Ontario Smart Growth’ included
obtaining Regional Population
Projections throughout the Province.
The District of Manitoulin was one of
the few regions in the north to forecast
population growth - predicting an
increase of 27% from 1996-2021. These
figures are consistent with Statistics
Canada 2001 Census data, which
identified the Manitoulin District as
the only area within the region to
experience substantial growth (+7.9%
from 1996-2001).
Urban sprawl was also identified within
the Smart Growth initiative. This is
evident across the country and more
notable in densely populated areas where
what may have been former neighbouring
communities, are now absorbed into
vastly developed, seamless districts.
Resulting from this, outlying areas
become the next natural step for
blossoming developments, as they possess
superior conditions for respectable
returns on investment (lower property
costs, taxes, etc.), while still being
accessible to competitive marketplaces.
The Muskoka region sets a good example,
as it has experienced tremendous growth
and investment over the past several
years. Now, as an exclusive developed
area with high-cost property values for
residential, commercial and seasonal
tourism developments, the next
consistent outlying area beyond the
Muskoka region places Manitoulin Island
as being geographically favourable and
financially viable, as it remains easily
accessible from densely populated areas
and offers a standard of living
preferable to many newcomers wishing to
escape congested regions. Manitoulin’s
‘cottage country’ type atmosphere is
unparalleled and is growing as a
destination for tourism, settlement and
investment (both foreign and domestic).
Local housing sales and new building
starts have seen strong growth over the
past year - further testimony to the
long-term investment potential on
Manitoulin Island.
The Manitoulin Living Association
adopted the slogan “Come Home to the
Island” as a result of extensive
research and consultations. We found
this term to be most fitting, as
newcomers and residents who have lived
here for generations proudly refer to
this sanctuary as home. The Township of
Assiginack is a proud partner in
Manitoulin Living promotions and would
be pleased to be of assistance to any
and all individuals interested in
visiting or living here.
Click here to view the Manitoulin Living
Partner Contact List.
For additional Island resources and
information, please visit our
links section or
contact us.
