Moosonee

Moosonee (/ˌmuːsəˈniː/) is a town in northern Ontario, Canada, on the Moose River approximately 19 kilometres (12 mi) south of James Bay. It is considered to be "the Gateway to the Arctic" and has Ontario's only saltwater port.[2] Nearby on Moose Factory Island is the community of Moose Factory to which it is connected by water taxi in the summer and ice road in the winter.

Moosonee
Town (single-tier)
Town of Moosonee
Moosonee
Moosonee
Coordinates: 51°16′20″N 80°38′35″W
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
RegionNortheastern Ontario
DistrictCochrane
Settled1903
Incorporated2001
Government
 • MayorWayne Taipale
 • Councillors
 • MPCharlie Angus
 • MPPGuy Bourgouin
Area
 • Land546.72 km2 (211.09 sq mi)
Population
 • Total1,481
 • Density2.7/km2 (7/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code
P0L 1Y0
Area code(s)705
Websitewww.moosonee.ca

Moosonee is the railhead of the Ontario Northland Railway where goods are transferred to barges and aircraft for transport to more northerly communities. Moosonee is not particularly far north, being located at 51°N—which is roughly the same latitude as Saskatoon, Calgary, London (UK), and Berlin—but is colder due to its proximity to Hudson Bay, and isolated due to its lack of road access to the rest of Ontario. The community was the site of a fur trading post set up in 1903 by Revillon Frères, competitors to the Hudson's Bay Company which later bought out Révillon.

Moosonee formerly held the status of a development area, the only community in the province with that designation, and was governed by a locally elected board subject to formal appointment by the Ontario provincial government. It became incorporated as a town effective January 1, 2001, with an elected mayor and four-person council. The most recent municipal council was elected on October 27, 2014, and three replacement councillors were elected in a by-election held on July 7, 2015. For 2014–2018 the town council consists of mayor Wayne Taipale, and councillors Tony Tourville, John Moore, Carman Tozer and Cathy Turner.[3]

History
Révillon Frères store in Moosonee

In 1900, Annie Hardisty and her two daughters were the first settlers on the site.[4] But the place really developed when on June 6, 1903, four canoes and a crew of 21 persons of the Révillon Frères company arrived on the banks of the Moose River near the much older Moose Factory to establish the Moose River Post. This Parisian furrier had ambitious plans to set up a chain of fur trading posts in direct competition with the Hudson's Bay Company, including five on James Bay. But it suffered a setback when their supply ship that carried all the provisions shipwrecked near Fort George.[5]

Moose River Post became the most important location for Révillon Frères and was quickly expanded with a staff house, carpenter's shop, warehouse, and sawmill. The buildings were spaced far apart as a preventive measure to minimize the spread of fire. By 1912, it was reported that "the whole line of good substantial buildings, built principally for their French Canadian employees, stretches along the river front for nearly a mile northward from the residence of the inspector."[5]

Moose River Post (and Moose Factory) were prosperous but isolated. It was supplied only once per year by ship coming from Montreal around the Labrador Peninsula. Mail arrived only four times per year, twice by canoe and twice by toboggan. During World War I, Révillon Frères' chartered supply ship was requisitioned for war service. So from then on until 1932, the post was supplied by scows from Pagwa on the National Transcontinental Railway coming down the Pagwachuan, Kenogami, and Albany Rivers.[5]

In 1932, the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway was extended from Cochrane to Moose River Post, that was renamed at that time to Moosonee, derived from the Cree word Môsonihk meaning "at the Moose [River]". In 1936, Révillon Frères sold its Canadian operations to the Hudson's Bay Company and the Moosonee post closed.[2][5] The HBC also exited the fur trade and opened a retail store in Moosonee (now Northern Store part of The North West Company). With the end of the fur trade business, Moosonee's economy became centered on transportation.[6]

In 1962, Moosonee became the site of RCAF Station Moosonee that was part of NORAD's Pinetree Line chain of radar stations. It closed in 1975 and some of its buildings were used by the Town after the closure, including the base swimming pool and recreation centre.[7]

In 1968, the town was classified as a Development Area Board. In November 2000, it was incorporated as the Town of Moosonee.[2]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
19811,433—    
19861,319−8.0%
19911,213−8.0%
19961,939+59.9%
20011,916−1.2%
20062,006+4.7%
20111,725−14.0%
20161,481−14.1%
[8][9]

The population was 1,725 in 2011,[10] down from 2,006 in the Statistics Canada 2006 Census,[11] although there are about 3,500 people by municipal government estimate.[6] Census figures for Moosonee may be inaccurate because of incomplete enumeration, a common problem with remote communities. About 85 per cent of the population are native Cree.[6]

The number of total private dwellings is 635, of which 545 are occupied by usual residents. Population density per square kilometre is 3.6. The most recent detailed census information available for Moosonee is from 2011. Mother tongue was 79.3% English, 17.7% Cree, 1.8% French, and 1.2% other language.[10] The town was 75.7% First Nations, 17.3% White, and 5.4% Métis (1996 data).

Canada census – Moosonee community profile
2016 2011 2006
Population: 1,481 (-14.1% from 2011) 1,725 (-14.0% from 2006) 2,006 (4.7% from 2001)
Land area: 546.72 km2 (211.09 sq mi) 550.12 km2 (212.40 sq mi) 555.35 km2 (214.42 sq mi)
Population density: 2.7/km2 (7.0/sq mi) 3.1/km2 (8.0/sq mi) 3.6/km2 (9.3/sq mi)
Median age: 28.1 (M: 26.9, F: 29.1) 27.6 (M: 27.2, F: 27.9)
Total private dwellings: 633 635 658
Median household income: $73,370
Notes: Includes Population and dwelling count amendment – References: 2016[12] 2011[13] 2006[14] earlier[15]

Services

Moosonee has two elementary schools, Moosonee Public School and Bishop Belleau Separate School (Roman Catholic) that offer kindergarten through grade eight. Bishop Belleau School also provides a French Language Instructional Unit for children who are entitled to be educated in French. There is a public high school, Northern Lights Secondary School, that provides grades nine through twelve. Northern College's Moosonee campus provides some post-secondary programs.

Health services are provided through the Moosonee Health Clinic of the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (merger of the former James Bay General Hospital and the Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin which operated Weeneebayko General Hospital in Moose Factory).

Payukotayno (pronounced pay-k-ta-no) Family Services provide child care and social assistance to Moosonee, Moose Factory, Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany, Kashechewan and Peawanuck. Payukotayno is a recognized Ontario Children's Aid Society and means 'one family' in Cree.

Climate

Moosonee has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb), with warm summers and cold winters. James Bay acts as a thermal reservoir to moderate spring and fall temperatures. Freeze-up on the Moose River normally occurs between late November and mid-December, with mean daily minimum January temperatures approximately −27 °C (−17 °F). Spring break-up, or spring thaw, usually occurs in April. Mean annual precipitation is approximately 682 millimetres (26.9 in), and mean annual snowfall is approximately 213 centimetres (83.9 in). Precipitation is somewhat higher in summer than at other times of the year. Severe thunderstorms can occur from time to time. Moosonee used to have a subarctic climate (Dfc) with an annual daily mean temperature of -1.3 °C (29.7 °F), but due to global warming that temperature has risen.[16]

The highest temperature ever recorded in Moosonee was 37.8 °C (100 °F) on 31 July 1975.[17] The coldest temperature ever recorded was −48.9 °C (−56 °F) on 24 January 1935.[18]

Climate data for Moosonee, 1981−2010 normals, extremes 1877−present[lower-alpha 1]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 7.2 8.9 26.6 29.6 36.8 39.3 44.7 43.4 40.8 28.8 20.7 12.9 44.7
Record high °C (°F) 7.2
(45.0)		 10.6
(51.1)		 25.0
(77.0)		 29.0
(84.2)		 35.0
(95.0)		 37.5
(99.5)		 37.8
(100.0)		 35.6
(96.1)		 32.8
(91.0)		 29.0
(84.2)		 20.5
(68.9)		 13.2
(55.8)		 37.8
(100.0)
Average high °C (°F) −13.6
(7.5)		 −10.5
(13.1)		 −3.9
(25.0)		 4.3
(39.7)		 13.3
(55.9)		 19.1
(66.4)		 22.6
(72.7)		 21.1
(70.0)		 15.7
(60.3)		 7.9
(46.2)		 −0.5
(31.1)		 −9.3
(15.3)		 5.5
(41.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) −20.0
(−4.0)		 −17.5
(0.5)		 −11.1
(12.0)		 −1.8
(28.8)		 6.8
(44.2)		 12.2
(54.0)		 15.8
(60.4)		 14.9
(58.8)		 10.5
(50.9)		 3.8
(38.8)		 −4.3
(24.3)		 −14.5
(5.9)		 −0.5
(31.1)
Average low °C (°F) −26.3
(−15.3)		 −24.6
(−12.3)		 −18.3
(−0.9)		 −7.9
(17.8)		 0.2
(32.4)		 5.3
(41.5)		 8.9
(48.0)		 8.6
(47.5)		 5.2
(41.4)		 −0.5
(31.1)		 −8.2
(17.2)		 −19.7
(−3.5)		 −6.4
(20.5)
Record low °C (°F) −48.9
(−56.0)		 −47.8
(−54.0)		 −44.4
(−47.9)		 −33.9
(−29.0)		 −17.8
(0.0)		 −7.0
(19.4)		 −2.2
(28.0)		 −3.1
(26.4)		 −6.1
(21.0)		 −16.7
(1.9)		 −34.4
(−29.9)		 −44.4
(−47.9)		 −48.9
(−56.0)
Record low wind chill −56 −53 −49 −37 −26 −10 −4 −5 −10 −20 −40 −51 −56
Average precipitation mm (inches) 33.0
(1.30)		 28.6
(1.13)		 35.3
(1.39)		 38.1
(1.50)		 54.6
(2.15)		 71.7
(2.82)		 96.8
(3.81)		 77.8
(3.06)		 95.3
(3.75)		 74.7
(2.94)		 56.3
(2.22)		 41.5
(1.63)		 703.6
(27.70)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.1
(0.00)		 1.8
(0.07)		 6.5
(0.26)		 21.0
(0.83)		 47.7
(1.88)		 71.5
(2.81)		 96.8
(3.81)		 77.8
(3.06)		 94.6
(3.72)		 62.1
(2.44)		 19.1
(0.75)		 3.5
(0.14)		 502.6
(19.79)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 39.9
(15.7)		 31.7
(12.5)		 31.0
(12.2)		 17.9
(7.0)		 6.6
(2.6)		 0.2
(0.1)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.6
(0.2)		 13.2
(5.2)		 40.6
(16.0)		 45.2
(17.8)		 226.8
(89.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 14.8 11.3 10.9 10.2 12.5 13.9 16.4 15.2 18.5 16.5 15.7 15.9 171.7
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 0.23 0.95 2.2 5.1 10.8 13.8 16.4 15.2 18.5 13.4 4.8 1.1 102.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 15.0 11.0 10.1 6.7 3.1 0.17 0.0 0.0 0.09 5.0 13.1 15.6 79.7
Mean monthly sunshine hours 93.6 128.7 161.6 192.0 221.2 213.5 249.2 219.7 134.8 88.5 52.9 55.2 1,810.7
Percent possible sunshine 35.8 45.7 44.0 46.3 45.9 43.1 50.0 48.6 35.4 26.6 19.7 22.3 38.6
Source: Environment Canada[17][19][20][21][22]

Transportation

Moosonee Station and Yard
Main article: Moosonee station
The Polar Bear Express at Moosonee Station

The main method of access is by Ontario Northland Railway which reached the town in 1932 and which provides passenger and freight train service to Cochrane.[6] Ontario Northland's Polar Bear Express train runs from Moosonee station to Cochrane six days per week during the summer months and five days per week during the rest of the year. Moosonee Station is located at the end of First Street and has a small station building, freight shed, diesel shed and an outdoor yard to store trains.

There are also two freight trains per week. During the summer and early fall shipping season, goods can be transported from Moosonee by barge. In January 2007, responsibility for the Port of Moosonee was transferred from the federal government to the Town of Moosonee.

Airport

The town is also accessible via the Moosonee Airport, served with scheduled flights of Air Creebec, Moosonee Water Aerodrome and cargo service through North Star Air.

Roads

Moosonee is inaccessible by road. The nearest road outside of Moosonee ends at Otter Rapids which is 148.9 kilometres (92.5 mi) south of Moosonee. During the early months of 2008, a winter road was open between Moosonee and the provincial road system at Otter Rapids. This road was built to support the twinning of the electric transmission lines that run from Otter Rapids to Moosonee. Local residents report it taking five or six hours to get to Timmins from Moosonee via Otter Rapids and Smooth Rock Falls. This road was not in service in 2009. In late 2009, members of the Moose Cree First Nation voted for the construction of a seasonal winter road south to Otter Rapids.

During the winter, ice roads are plowed and maintained on the ice across the Moose River to Moose Factory and winter roads are maintained to the coastal communities of Fort Albany, Kashechewan and Attawapiskat. In recent years, much of the traffic heading up north has been destined for the Victor Diamond Mine operated by De Beers Canada to the west of Attawapiskat.

Feasibility studies have been undertaken on the construction of a permanent all-season road to the communities of Moosonee, Fort Albany, Kashechewan and Attawapiskat River.[23] The project, if undertaken, will entail a "coastal road" connecting the four communities with each other, as well as a road to link the coastal road to the provincial highway system at Fraserdale, Kapuskasing or Hearst.[24]

Communications

Moosonee has a local radio station, CHMO 1450 AM, that is generally operated by volunteers, plus a rebroadcasting facility for CBC Radio One Northern Ontario from CBCS-FM Sudbury on 1340 AM. Most homes subscribe to either Creecable cable TV or a satellite TV service to receive their programming, following the 2012 closure of the local CBC Television and TVOntario repeaters.

Ontera, formerly Ontario Northland Telecommunications, but now owned by Bell, provides telecommunications service in Moosonee (NPA-NXX 705-336).

Attractions and tourism
Waterfront of Moosonee

Notable attractions in Moosonee include:

  • Railway Car Museum – displaying the cultural history of the area in an old Baggage Car of the Temiskaming & Northern Ontario Railway.
  • MNR Interpretive Centre – displays and videos at the office of the Ministry of Natural Resources highlighting the wildlife, geological, and geographical features of the region.
  • Excursions to the bird sanctuaries of Shipsands Island and the Southern James Bay.

The Tidewater Provincial Park is on nearby Charles Island, adjacent to Moose Factory Island.

References
  1. "Census Profile, 2016 Census: Moosonee, Town". Statistics Canada. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  2. "About Ontario: Moosonee". Queen's Printer for Ontario. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  3. "Town of Moosonee: Declaration of Election" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-05-11.
  4. "Moosonee Community Profile" (PDF). Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  5. Revillon Frères, The Moosonee Development Area Board, 2002
  6. "Main Page". Town of Moosonee. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  7. James Marsh. "Moosonee". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  8. Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006 census, and Population and dwelling count amendments
  9. Population 1981/1986
  10. "Moosonee, Ontario (Code 3556106) census profile". 2011 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
  11. "Moosonee". 2006 Community Profiles. Statistics Canada. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  12. "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 21, 2017. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
  13. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 5, 2013. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
  14. "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. March 30, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
  15. "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 17, 2012.
  16. Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2011-02-09). "Canadian Climate Normals 1961-1990 Station Data - Climate - Environment and Climate Change Canada". climate.weather.gc.ca. Retrieved 2020-07-04.
  17. "Moosonee UA". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  18. "January 1935". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  19. "Moose Factory". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  20. "Daily Data Report for October 2011". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  21. "Daily Data Report for March 2012". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  22. "Daily Data Report for November 2016". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  23. "Ontario's far north one step closer to building all-season road". CBC Sudbury, September 17, 2017.
  24. "All Season Road". Mushkegowuk Council.

Footnotes
  1. Long term climate data for the Moosonee area was recorded in Moose Factory from October 1877 to December 1938, and in Moosonee from October 1932 to present.
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