Wawa, Ontario

**Wawa** is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario, located within the Algoma District and associated with Wawa Lake. Previously known as the township of Michipicoten, after a nearby river of that name, the township was officially renamed in 2007 for its largest community of Wawa.

This area was first made for fur trading. In the late 19th century, both gold and iron ore were found and mined, leading to the region's rise as the steel industry developed in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. From 1900 to 1918 the Helen Mine had the highest production of iron ore of any mine in Canada.

The township includes the smaller communities of Michipicoten and Michipicoten River, which are small port settlements on the shore of Lake Superior. These names are from the Ojibwe term for the river.

## Demographics

Population trend:
- Population in 2021: 2,705
- Population in 2016: 2,905
- Population in 2011: 2,977
- Population in 2006: 3,204
- Population in 2001: 3,668
- Population in 1996: 4,145
- Population in 1991: 4,154

## Modern politics in Wawa

The municipal council is made up of one mayor and four councillors. The current mayor is Ron Rody. Councillors Tamara Liddle, Bill Chiasson, James Neufeld and Yvan Besner were elected on October 27, 2014 for four years. After James Neufeld resigned on April 27, 2015, Matthew Morrison was appointed to fill the empty seat on August 10, 2015. In 2016, Councillor Tamara Liddle and her husband, Gerry Liddle were investigated and it was revealed that both Gerry Liddle and Councillor Tamara Liddle harassed CAO Chris Wray to try and get a personal benefit to avoid paying taxes. Both were punished by town council. After the 2018 elections, Ron Rody was victorious as mayor and the following councillors were elected: Bill Chiasson, Mitch Hatfield, Robert Reece, and Pat Tait.

## Tourist attractions and notable events

The community is known for its 8.5-metre (28-foot) metal statue of a Canada goose, which was built in 1960, and was dedicated to the community in 1961. Wawa takes its name from the Ojibwe word for "wild goose", _wewe_. Wawa was called wild goose in _The Song of Hiawatha._ On July 5, 2010, the Canada Post made a commemorative stamp of the Wawa Goose as part of its Roadside Attractions collection. On July 1, 2017, a new Wawa Goose was made to replace the second aging goose.

The town is also known for snowmobiling and sport fishing. The Voyageur Hiking Trail passes through the town. One important shopping location is Young's General Store, home of the locally famous Pickle Barrel.

## Infobox (settlement)

- **name**: Wawa
- **official name**: Municipality of Wawa
- **settlement type**: List of municipalities in Ontario, Municipality (single-tier)
- **image skyline**: Wawa ON 1.jpg
- **image caption**: Wawa as seen across Wawa Lake
- **pushpin map**: Canada Ontario
- **pushpin label position**: top
- **subdivision type**: Country
- **subdivision name**: Canada
- **subdivision type1**: Provinces and territories of Canada, Province
- **subdivision name1**: Ontario
- **subdivision type2**: List of census divisions of Ontario#Districts, District
- **subdivision name2**: Algoma District, Algoma
- **leader title**: Mayor
- **leader name**: Melanie Pilon
- **leader title1**: Federal riding
- **leader name1**: Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing (federal electoral district), Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing
- **leader title2**: Prov. riding
- **leader name2**: Algoma—Manitoulin (provincial electoral district), Algoma—Manitoulin
- **established title**: Established
- **established date**: 1899
- **area land km2**: 411.89
- **population as of**: 2021
- **population total**: 2,705
- **population density km2**: 6.6
- **timezone**: Eastern Time Zone, Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- **utc offset**: -5
- **timezone dst**: Eastern Time Zone, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
- **utc offset dst**: -4
- **elevation m**: 287
- **postal code type**: Canadian postal code, Postal Code
- **postal code**: P0S 1K0
- **area code**: Area code 705, 705