October 2025 - Posts
The City of Timmins is moving forward with plans to construct a new fire hall that will serve as a modern, safe, and efficient facility for the Timmins Fire Department. City Council has awarded a 4-year contract for architectural and engineering services to Salter Pilon Architecture Inc. in the amount of $1,871,560.
A new fire hall will help address operational and infrastructure challenges at the City’s existing facility on Cedar St. S., including limited size and an outdated layout that restricts the department’s ability to add and deploy critical firefighting vehicles and equipment.
“A new fire hall will help the Timmins Fire Department meet the growing needs of the community and continue to deliver high-quality emergency services,” said Fire Chief Scott Atkinson.
The intention is to provide a state-of-the-art station that can accommodate vehicles and specialized equipment, with dedicated training space, and modern ventilation and decontamination areas to protect firefighter health.
The project is planned over the next four years, with completion anticipated in 2028. Work will begin this year with geotechnical investigation and feasibility studies, followed by site selection, design, tendering, construction management, and final commissioning phases.
Amanda Dyer
Timmins City Council has officially approved the continued use of online voting for the upcoming municipal election in 2026.
Under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, Ch. 32, municipalities are required to pass a by-law authorizing the use of vote tabulators and alternative voting methods for each municipal election. Timmins has successfully implemented alternative voting methods in each of the past three municipal elections (2014, 2018, and 2022), allowing residents to cast their ballots either in-person at local polling stations or online from any secure internet connection.
During the 2022 municipal election, approximately 72% of total votes were cast through online voting, highlighting the convenience and accessibility of digital voting options. For the 2026 election, online voting will provide a secure, modern, and accessible option that encourages participation.
For more information on the 2026 municipal election, visit: www.timmins.ca/our_services/municipal_elections.
Amanda Dyer
Timmins City Council has ratified a new four-year collective agreement with CUPE Local 1544 on behalf of Timmins Transit staff. Transit’s conventional bus service, paratransit service, and the Northern College Express are expected to resume on October 18, 2025.
The agreement will see the City’s transit mechanics receive a base rate adjustment of 8%, drivers 4.5%, maintenance 1%, plus a 3% economic increase annually for the length of the contract. Several other items were also agreed to, including increases for holiday pay premiums, optical coverage, safety footwear, and enhancements for vacation for long-service employees.
“We made an offer that was fair and responsible,” said CAO Dave Landers. “Our priority has always been to provide equitable compensation to our transit employees while ensuring that we can continue to deliver sustainable public transportation. Now, the City’s immediate focus is getting buses back on the road with a smooth return to service.”
For updates and more information, visit: www.timmins.ca/our_services/timmins_transit/timmins_transit_-_strike_information.
Amanda Dyer
Timmins City Council has ratified a new four-year collective agreement with CUPE Local 1544 on behalf of Timmins Transit staff. Transit’s conventional bus service, paratransit service, and the Northern College Express are expected to resume on October 18, 2025.
The agreement will see the City’s transit mechanics receive a base rate adjustment of 8%, drivers 4.5%, maintenance 1%, plus a 3% economic increase annually for the length of the contract. Several other items were also agreed to, including increases for holiday pay premiums, optical coverage, safety footwear, and enhancements for vacation for long-service employees.
“We made an offer that was fair and responsible,” said CAO Dave Landers. “Our priority has always been to provide equitable compensation to our transit employees while ensuring that we can continue to deliver sustainable public transportation. Now, the City’s immediate focus is getting buses back on the road with a smooth return to service.”
For updates and more information, visit: www.timmins.ca/our_services/timmins_transit/timmins_transit_-_strike_information.
Amanda Dyer
Timmins City Council has approved changes to waste management for rural areas, which will help mitigate illegal dumping, non-compliance waste disposal, and reduce landfill use. The changes are pending approval from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP), and follow a detailed review of landfill capacity, environmental regulations, and community feedback.
In early 2025, the City’s Environmental Services Department reported significant capacity and compliance challenges at rural landfill sites. Council directed staff to provide a detailed service delivery model for hybrid waste management that combines targeted curbside waste collection with transfer sites in rural areas.
The hybrid approach is designed to improve convenience, environmental compliance, and cost-efficiency by:
- Expanding curbside waste and recycling collection for 65% of properties currently using the German Township Landfill (133 of 205 homes).
- Transition the German Township Landfill, Evelyn Township Landfill, and Thornloe Township Landfill into transfer sites
- Enter into an agreement with Circular Materials to fund and manage community recycling depots, including depots at the Deloro Landfill and Tisdale Transfer Site.
“This hybrid model improves waste services for rural residents, making it easier to properly dispose of household waste and recycling,” said Ken Krcel, Director of Public Works and Environmental Services. “The plan balances environmental responsibility with service delivery to help eliminate illegal dumping, non-compliant materials, and reduce overall landfill use, all of which place a significant financial burden on taxpayers.”
Final operating conditions will depend on MECP approval. With approval, the Environmental Services Dept. will develop a communication and implementation plan for both the rollout of curbside collection and the transition of rural landfill sites to transfer sites.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins is proud to recognize Lorraine Cantin as the latest recipient of the Heart of Gold Award, honouring her contributions to science education and her commitment to furthering interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).
For more than five decades, Lorraine has been promoting the importance of science education. Her work with students, educators, and families has served to make science more accessible, engaging, and fun. Her leadership in organizing science fairs and innovative school projects has helped countless young people explore and develop a passion for the world of science.
Lorraine’s continued work with Science Timmins and her help in establishing the Science Village have left a lasting mark on our community’s educational landscape. In 1998, as co-chair of the Canada-wide School Science Fair (CWSF), Lorraine helped bring national attention to Timmins and showcased the talent of over 1,000 young scientists.
Lorraine’s decades long contribution to science education is an example of how one person’s passion can ignite a community’s love for learning.
Recipients of the Heart of Gold Recognition Program are recognized during a regular meeting of council. Residents are encouraged to nominate someone they know who has made a positive impact on the community or achieved outstanding accomplishment in the following categories:
- Volunteer and Community Service
- Youth Community and Civic Engagement
- Achievement in Sports
- Achievement in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)
For the nomination form and program eligibility, visit: https://www.timmins.ca/our_services/city_hall/mayor_and_council/heart_of_gold_civic_recognition_program
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins is proud to be among the first major donors supporting redevelopment of the Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) Emergency Department. This $2 million commitment was included in and approved through the City’s 2025 budget earlier this year, and will be allocated for this project over the next four years.
“Council’s early investment of $2 million reflects our commitment to help ensure that residents have access to excellent emergency care where and when they need it,” said Mayor Michelle Boileau. “We consider this a shared investment from every resident that will directly improve quality of life for more patients and families here in Timmins and across the region.”
The Ontario government recently announced plans to renovate and expand the hospital’s emergency department up to four times its current size. The project will add over 27,000 square feet, with increased patient capacity and space for dedicated emergency mental health care.
“I want to thank the Ontario government and specifically Minister George Pirie and Minister Sylvia Jones for their leadership and support,” adds Boileau. “A community that is connected to quality healthcare is a community that will continue to thrive.”
This investment builds on the City’s ongoing commitment to strengthen local healthcare, including support for physician recruitment through Timmins Economic Development, continued funding for the TADH Medical Specialist Building, and the redevelopment of the Golden Manor long-term care facility.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins is proud to be among the first major donors supporting redevelopment of the Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) Emergency Department. This $2 million commitment was included in and approved through the City’s 2025 budget earlier this year, and will be allocated for this project over the next four years.
“Council’s early investment of $2 million reflects our commitment to help ensure that residents have access to excellent emergency care where and when they need it,” said Mayor Michelle Boileau. “We consider this a shared investment from every resident that will directly improve quality of life for more patients and families here in Timmins and across the region.”
The Ontario government recently announced plans to renovate and expand the hospital’s emergency department up to four times its current size. The project will add over 27,000 square feet, with increased patient capacity and space for dedicated emergency mental health care.
“I want to thank the Ontario government and specifically Minister George Pirie and Minister Sylvia Jones for their leadership and support,” adds Boileau. “A community that is connected to quality healthcare is a community that will continue to thrive.”
This investment builds on the City’s ongoing commitment to strengthen local healthcare, including support for physician recruitment through Timmins Economic Development, continued funding for the TADH Medical Specialist Building, and the redevelopment of the Golden Manor long-term care facility.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins and CUPE Local 1544, representing Timmins Transit staff, have reached a second tentative agreement following continued negotiations today.
The tentative agreement will be brought forward to CUPE Local 1544 members for a ratification vote. If ratified by the membership, the agreement will then be presented to Timmins City Council at its Tuesday meeting for approval.
Once the agreement is finalized, the City of Timmins and Timmins Transit will begin working on a plan to reinstate transit services as soon as possible.
At this time, all Timmins Transit services remain suspended including conventional bus, paratransit service, and the Northern College Express.
For updates and more information, visit: www.timmins.ca/our_services/timmins_transit/timmins_transit_-_strike_information.
Amanda Dyer
The following municipal services will be closed or unavailable on Thanksgiving Monday (October 13, 2025):
- Service Timmins and the Provincial Offences Centre will be closed
- Residential waste and recycling collection that falls on October 13 will be collected on Tuesday, October 14, 2025
- Deloro Landfill is closed
- The Timmins Museum: NEC will be closed
- Both branches of the Timmins Public Library will be closed
- The Archie Dillon Sportsplex Pool will be closed
- Cemetery office will be closed
For more information about municipal services visit www.timmins.ca or call Service Timmins at 705-264-1331.
Amanda Dyer
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