Statistics Canada released the first set of data from the 2016 census collection earlier this week, dealing with the population of Canada, the provinces and municipalities, such as Timmins.
The information on Timmins’ population contained in the 2016 census results show that there has been a 3.2 per cent decline, compared to the 2011 census data.
The census results reveal that, the population of Timmins in 2016 was 41,788, down from 2011 when it was listed at 43,165.
TimminsToday has contacted several civic leaders including the Mayor Steven Black, The Timmins Economic Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce. We are awaiting responses to our questions on the significance of this minor decline on the Timmins community.
Timmins being a primarily mining and resource based city, has often experienced a cycle of increasing population followed by a decline, that is caused by slow down in the mining sector or other resource-based industries.
In 2016, and the three years prior to the census forms being mailed out, news surfaced that Goldcorp was about to close the Dome Underground mine. There have also been a couple of retail stores closing such as Zeller’s, Sears and just recently the Buck or Two store all in the Timmins Square. Tweed and Hickory closed its doors on Third Avenue.
And perhaps the biggest potential impact on Timmins’ workforce is the scheduled closure of the 50-year-old Kidd Creek Mine by 2021, which has been discussed in the community for the last several years.
But there also have been some good news as well for Timmins. Several new industries are locating in Timmins, such as Calabrian, a manufacturer of SO2 for the mining sector, that is currently establishing its plant in a new industrial park on the east side of the city, that will serve northwestern Quebec and Northern Ontario mines.
Expressions of interest have been strongly shown by a Chinese-based basalt mining company, leading to representatives travelling to Timmins and Mayor Steve Black visiting China.
As well, Goldcorp reversed its intended closure of the Dome Underground mine and production will continue indefinitely. Goldcorp also announced its ambitious Project Century in December, 2016, which will develop a much larger open pit mine, that will dwarf the current Dome Open Pit mine, with a capacity to produce until 2035.
Increased mining activity is also taking place at Tahoe Lake Shore Gold as that company continues to explore and develop new gold mining potential on the west side of Timmins. Meanwhile in north Timmins, Gowest Gold has completed its exploration process, acquired most of its permits and is all set to become the next producing gold mine in Timmins.
Declining enrolments at local schools, partially caused by the population decline, but also due to the lower birth rate, have also led to the forced amalgamation of schools leading to the closure of Sacred Heart Catholic School this coming September in the North-Eastern Ontario Catholic School Board in Timmins.
As well declining enrolment as led to the shutdown of Frank Krznaric Whitney Public School a few years ago, in the District School Board Ontario North East.
While Timmins population has dipped slightly, the Province of Ontario’s population gained marginally between 2011 and 2016. In 2011 Ontario’s population was 12,851,821. It grew to 13,448,494. An increase of roughly 600,000 people for a 4.6 per cent increase.
The population of Canada also increased from 2011 to 2016 to 35,151,728 based on the Census Day, May 10, 2016 numbers obtained by StatsCan. From 2011 to 2016, the population increased by 1.7 million or 5.0 per cent, a slightly lower rate than 5.9 per cent from 2006 to 2011.
Among the provinces and territories Nunavut had a 12.7 per cent increase, but its population is still miniscule at 35,944. Alberta was next with an 11.6 per cent increase bringing its population to 4,067,175, but it is unclear what the slowdown in the oil and petroleum sector will have in store over the next five years for Alberta.
For a direct look at the StatsCan population figures, please click here.
