Community Profile

The Township of Assiginack is located on the eastern portion of Manitoulin Island, bounded by Georgian Bay to the east and Lake Manitou to the west. The main community, Manitowaning (the first European settlement on Manitoulin Island), is nestled in a picturesque bay side setting off Highway 6 South between Little Current and South Baymouth. The area of the Township encompasses 205 square kilometres, with a road network of 132 kilometres.

Manitowaning offers a diverse number of attractions and unique landmarks including; the Assiginack Arena and Fair Grounds (with public tennis courts and ball diamond), Bay Street Marina (offering access to the North Channel and Great Lakes), an original lighthouse still in operation (built in 1878), the Rainbow Ridge Golf Course (a recently constructed 18 hole Golf Course), 3 swimming beaches, Municipal parks with hiking trails, St. Paul’s Anglican Church (the oldest church in Northern Ontario), the Assiginack Museum Heritage Complex, which features the S.S. Norisle (the first passenger steam ship built in Canada after WW II), Burns Wharf Theatre, Manitoulin Roller Mills, and the main Museum exhibit building with an adjacent original blacksmith shop, authentic log home and early century school house.

Retail and services include municipal office, medical clinic, ambulance services, waste disposal, public Internet access, volunteer fire department, OPP detachment, three churches, post office, public library, grocery store, restaurants, pharmacy, variety and convenience stores, chartered banking services with 24 hour ATM, real estate & insurance sales, building supply, building and construction contractors, automotive sales and services, marine sales and service, laundromat, engineering services, liquor/beer store, greenhouses and landscaping, florist, farm & feed supply, aviation storage, flight charters, bus charters, fishing charters and lodging (resorts, motels and bed & breakfasts).

The main industries were originally shipping, forestry and farming, which over the years have evolved to include tourism as one of the main economic drivers for the Township, along with some forestry activities, farming and some light manufacturing.

Population

926

Education

The Township of Assiginack has one elementary school, Assiginack Central School that operates under the Rainbow District School Board. Current enrolment is approximately 126 students.

Secondary school students are bussed to Manitoulin Secondary School in M’Chigeeng (approximately 45 minutes away).

Adult learning courses are available through Cambrian College, which maintains a satellite campus in Little Current, Contact North, through special learning programs in different communities and also, electronically via the Internet.

Health Care

The Township of Assiginack boasts a “community oriented” Medical Clinic. The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, through a Community Sponsored Contract funds a fulltime General Practitioner.

Home Care services are available as a part of the Long Term Care Program offered through the Government of Ontario OHIP services. This includes nurses’ visits for assessment and care, occupational and physiotherapy as well as homemaking services.

The Victorian Order of Nurses, a not-for-profit service, provides a nursing service that cares for people not covered by OHIP.

Special clinics offered in Manitowaning include a diabetes clinic, a foot care clinic and various other programs occasionally offered by the Sudbury / Manitoulin District Health Unit (heart/health, smoking cessation, assistance with infectious disease control, newborn visitations, water quality testing, food store and restaurant inspections, vaccination clinics, etc.).

Real Estate

The Township of Assiginack maintains a number of facilities for the residents, as follows: Municipal Office and Public Library, the Manitowaning Information Booth, a former Federal building that houses the Post Office, a chartered bank, the Assiginack Medical Clinic, the Assiginack Arena and Fair Grounds, the Assiginack Municipal Garage and Fire Hall, McLean’s Park - Hiking & Mountain Biking Trail, South Bay Shores Park, Sucker Lake Swimming Area, Bay Street Marina, Shower House and Swimming Area, the Assiginack Museum Heritage Complex, the Assiginack Waste Disposal Site, Manitoulin East Municipal Airport and Industrial Park (jointly owned and operated by the Township of Assiginack and the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands), and vacant, commercial zoned land located at the airport.

Various properties within the town plot and beyond, offer possibilities for future community growth and development.

Sports & Recreation

Annual events and activities that occur within the Township of Assiginack include: the Manitowaning Fall Fair (a tradition for over 125 years), Summerfest, Special Events Dances (Halloween, New Year’s, etc.), Theatre Presentations, Euchre Nights, Public Dinners, curling, tennis, baseball, hockey, golf, figure skating, fishing, various four season recreation programs, tournaments and derbies, swimming lessons, hunting, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, boating, bird watching and astronomy.

Most of the activities and events offered within the Township are generously supported by committed volunteers and volunteer groups: the Manitowaning Agriculture Society, the Manitowaning Tennis Club, Seniors Hockey, the Assiginack Recreation Committee, the Assiginack Historical Society, Southeast Manitoulin Lions Club, the Assiginack Horticultural Society, the Assiginack Curling Club, St. Paul’s Anglican Church Executive, St. Paul’s Anglican Church Women, the United Church Board of Stewards, the Figure Skating Club, Assiginack Minor Hockey, the Eastern Manitoulin Friendship Club, the Eastern Manitoulin Masons, Assiginack Neighbourhood Watch, the Assiginack Library Board, the Assiginack CAP Committee, the Assiginack Parks & Waterfront Committee, Circle of Hope, the Clover Valley United Church Women’s Group, the Assiginack Central School Parent Council, the Assiginack Medical Clinic Supporters, etc.

Location

The following map has been edited from MapQuest. By clicking on the map, you may zoom in or out on any location and create and print driving directions.

Click here for Statistics Canada Community Highlights for Assiginack Township

Click here for Industry Canada Community Demographics for Manitowaning