Mayor Michelle Boileau and the City’s delegation have joined municipal leaders from across the province at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference in Toronto this week. It’s an opportunity to meet with provincial ministers and prioritize municipal concerns.
On Monday, Mayor Boileau met with Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, to discuss a number of issues, including bypass routes and the state of Municipal Road.
"Municipal Road is a growing concern for both Timmins and Iroquois Falls," said Mayor Boileau. "Maintenance of the road comes at a considerable cost to the municipality for a regional connecting route between Hwy 101 E. and Hwy 11. The Minister and her staff heard our concerns and committed to working with the communities on this matter."
Maintenance of Municipal Rd. was downloaded to the City of Timmins effective January 1, 1998.
Lobbying sessions with the ministers help City Council put Timmins’ front and centre with the province. Conference attendees will also be taking part in workshops on a variety of topics including asset management, supporting seniors in a rural community, and attracting housing development to rural Ontario.
“Advocating on behalf of Timmins and its residents is a significant part of my role, “adds Mayor Boileau. “We come prepared to make the most of the time in front of provincial decision-makers. We need to be clear on why additional provincial support is needed to maintain our roads and infrastructure.”
Amanda Dyer
The best under 18 curlers are on their way to Timmins! Feb. 5 to 11, the McIntyre Curling Club hosts the 2023 Under 18 Championships presented by Newmont Porcupine. 21 women’s teams and 21 men’s teams from across Canada will try to TAKE OUT the competition and score the National Championship at the historic McIntyre Community Centre and Curling Club.
“We are excited to welcome all teams and competitors to Timmins,” says Mayor Michelle Boileau. “This is the largest national event the McIntyre Curling Club has ever hosted and an opportunity for residents to watch curling’s up and coming stars. Part of the City’s success can be achieved through sports tourism. We can provide the resources and infrastructure for larger events, but it’s also important to get out and cheer on the participants. Let’s show event organizers that Timmins is a premier host destination.”
To help showcase all that Timmins has to offer, Tourism Timmins has worked tirelessly with event organizers to help promote activities around the city for players off the ice.
“Tourism Timmins will be set-up at the McIntyre Community Centre during the championships,” says Lacey Rigg, Coordinator of Meetings, Conventions and Sports Tourism. “We will be working with teams to coordinate activities and make suggestions on how they can best enjoy Timmins. This is our opportunity to showcase our local tour operators, businesses, and attractions.”
Each match-up will be a guaranteed nail-BITER! Tickets are on sale now at https://curlthemac.ca/. HURRY HARD to SWEEP up your tickets and don’t miss a minute of the action.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins Environmental Services department wishes to advise the Public of a Preventative Boil Water Advisory.
The City of Timmins is requiring you to take the following steps:
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Users of the water supply should bring their water to a rolling boil for one minute prior to consumption;
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Any dishes used for cooking/food preparation must be sanitized with a 100ppm chlorine solution for a minimum of two minutes; and
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All water taps must be posted, indicating that the water is not safe to drink.
The preventative boil water advisory is effective immediately upon the return of water service. This is required to due to maintenance on the system. The Preventative Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect until the sample results confirm the water is fit for human consumption. City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this necessary process, and advise that if there are any questions, concerns or requests for additional information, they may contact the Service Timmins at 705-264-1331 during business hours. After-hours emergencies should be directed to 705-264-1201.
City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this work.
Guest
Renovations to the Timmins Transit Terminal on Spruce St. began Monday. The project received the final go-ahead from City Council last month and will see the 1916 building updated to better serve the needs of Transit passengers and staff.
The City received $1.3 million in funding to help complete this project through the federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). The program is designed to help communities ensure that families and residents have access to modern and reliable services that impact their quality of life, including public transportation.
The majority of the work involves renovations to staff offices and replacement of the heating system. Public washrooms will have a new layout and minor changes will be made to the main lobby, including updates to the entrance vestibules to minimize heat loss. Any outdoor work to the roof and pathways will take place in the spring. Public washrooms will remain closed until renovations are complete.
“We’re excited to get this project started,” says Ken Krcel, Director of Public Works and Environmental Services. “The planned renovations will help Timmins Transit continue to deliver efficient services with improved public amenities. This is the first update to the Transit Terminal since it was purchased by the City of Timmins in 2010.”
The City is working with contractors to minimize impact to the public. There will be no disruption of Timmins Transit route services or schedule. Any change to services at the Transit Terminal, like bus pass purchase, will be communicated in advance through the City’s website at https://www.timmins.ca/our_services/timmins_transit.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins would like to advise that an extreme cold weather alert has been issued for Friday, January 13, 2023. Temperatures are expected to drop to -33 (inclusive of windchill) tonight.
People in need of emergency shelter can attend the Living Space location (316 Spruce St. S.) for assistance. If you know of someone in need of shelter please contact Living Space at 705-531-7233.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins would like to advise that an extreme cold weather alert has been issued for Monday, January 9, 2023. Temperatures are expected to drop to -25 (inclusive of windchill) overnight.
People in need of emergency shelter are asked to attend the Living Space location (316 Spruce St. S.). Living Space Outreach Workers will conduct street-level outreach with the goal of connecting people who are sleeping outside with shelter and/or support; if you know of someone in need of shelter please contact 705-531-7233 for assistance.
Amanda Dyer

A by-law is a rule or law that is put in place by the City of Timmins to ensure that our community remains safe and orderly. The City of Timmins Enforcement Services Division is responsible for enforcing our by-laws. Staff enforce by-laws by investigating complaints and responding to the concerns of citizens.
Each month, we'll explore a different by-law and what it means for you. This month, we're looking at the City's Snow By-law 1993-4162
It’s a Snow Day!
Living in the North, we are familiar with snow. Talk about “snow storage” and “snow removal” and “snow plowing” takes over any discussion of potholes for at least 5 months of the year. At some point during the winter, where to pile all that snow from your driveway and entry way can become a real concern. The urge to push it away from your property, onto or across the road, may become great … but don’t do it!
Did you know that depositing snow from your property onto the road is against the law? Section 181 of the Highway Traffic Act forbids a person from pushing or piling snow onto the roadway. The City of Timmins has doubled-down with our own Snow By-law that forbids a property owner from depositing snow on municipal highways including streets, roads, laneways, and sidewalks.
Snow way!
“Why would pushing snow onto the road be an issue? After all, the City has plows to take care of it.”
We do have plows … and graders, loaders, and sanders with underride plows and a Public Works Department that is tasked with maintaining our roads as per the province’s Minimum Maintenance Standards … and that’s where the snow by-law comes in. When you deposit snow onto a road or street, you create an additional driving hazard for motorists. In essence, you’re undermining the City’s maintenance efforts.
The snow by-law also prohibits people from piling snow on your property beside a road or sidewalk in a way that obstructs the sidewalk or road and / or impedes sight lines for motorists and pedestrians. Plan to store the snow from your driveway or entryway in an area on your property that leaves the road and sidewalk clear.
Snow Removal
Residents who push snow from their own property onto a city road or sidewalk would be in violation of By-law 1993-4162 and could be fined under the Provincial Offences Act by a member of our municipal Enforcement Services team.
Since snow storage can become an issue, the City offers use of its Spruce St. snow dump location free of charge to residents using a a half ton truck and trailer only (anything larger will require a permit) to remove snow.
If you have concerns about snow being incorrectly deposited on the street or road in your neighborhood, you can call Service Timmins at 705-264-1331.
Click here to learn more about the City’s Snow By-law 1993-4162.
Amanda Dyer
City Council has approved the 2023 water and wastewater budget as outlined by the City’s 10-year financial plan for water and wastewater services (water, sewer, storm). The increase is approximately 4.3% or $56 more for the average household.
The 10-year financial plan was approved in 2021 to address a deficit in the water and wastewater budget with nominal increases set over a number of years. City Council also approved an increase to the “Low Income Utility Assistance Credit.” Eligible homeowners can now receive up to $150 off their utility fees and can apply anytime within the calendar year. So far in 2022, the City has issued $15,655 in rebates. Deadline for the 2022 credit is December 30, 2022.
The budget includes plans to use the City’s recent $2.9 million Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) and Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) allocations for capital projects to rehabilitate or replace existing water infrastructure. It’s also important to note that the $2.1 million budgeted for water and wastewater infrastructure replacement as part of Connecting Link construction includes the money needed for work in 2023 and the unspent portion reserved from 2022 construction that ended short of Mountjoy St.
The water and wastewater budget is separate from the general 2023 budget or 2023 tax levy because revenues are sourced from user fees and not property tax. Council will begin tax levy discussions in early 2023, which is typical in a municipal election year as incoming council is familiarized with City programs and services.
The full long-term financial plan for water and wastewater available on the City of Timmins website under Our Services > Water and Sewer. The application form for the Low Income Utility Assistance Credit is also available online at Timmins.ca
Amanda Dyer
Timmins Transit is set to receive $233,039 from the provincial government as part of Ontario’s commitment to safe and reliable transit services. Phase 4 of the federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement will provide a total of $505 million across the province for municipal transit systems.
The funds can be used to offset costs related to COVID-19 in 2022, including revenue loss, operating expenses, and priority projects. Since the start of the pandemic, Timmins Transit has relied on provincial and federal grants to help cover operating costs.
“Providing accessible public transportation is a priority for the City of Timmins,” says Mayor Michelle Boileau. “This Safe Restart Funding speaks directly to where we are in terms of restarting and rebuilding transit services post pandemic. I want to thank both the provincial and federal governments for their continued support of transit services in Timmins.”
“We appreciate the provincial government’s support,” says Ken Krcel, Director of Public Works and Environmental Services. “This funding helps us continue to deliver safe and reliable public transportation. We anticipate that this funding will be used to cover any shortfall in revenue from 2022.”
Amanda Dyer
Mid-morning on a dairy farm in the heart of Timmins and Mayor Michelle Boileau and Councillor Rock Whissell are learning more about how Haasen Farms Ltd. operates. Not the Mayor’s normal Friday morning, but one that carries with it the opportunity for agricultural revival in Timmins and Northern Ontario.
On Friday, Mayor Boileau and Councillor Whissell joined Minister Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs, for a tour of four farming operations in Timmins and Matheson, part of a day long discussion hosted by Commerce Management and the Northeast Community Network (NeCN) as part of the Claybelt Agricultural Project. The project aims to enhance farm production in the north and highlight the tremendous potential for agriculture to become the third major pillar in the region’s economy. Timmins is part of a group of municipalities along the Hwy. 11 corridor who have invested in the project.
It was a small bit of history for Timmins, the first time a Minister of Agriculture has toured the area, more significantly with the Minister of Mines, and Timmins MPP, George Pirie. Collaboration across the regions economic pillars could be key to how quickly agriculture and farming joins mining and forestry as economic drivers for the area.
“We had an opportunity to talk about how Timmins’ economy can be diversified and flourish,” says Mayor Boileau. “It’s important for the City of Timmins to be front and centre in these discussions, to not only support our farming sector, but to emphasize the importance of stimulating agricultural development in a way that is sustainable and environmentally conscious.”
Timmins’ City Council received an update on the Claybelt Agricultural Project in July. The benefit to establishing agriculture in Timmins, aside from benefiting the economy, is the potential for job creation and food security. Ultimately, it’s part of future planning for our community and region.
“Our tour of Rubber Boot Farm highlighted how farming in the north has the capacity to support the environment,” adds Mayor Boileau. “Regenerative farming, working with nature and not against it, protects the land and delivers quality, nutritious food products. We have innovative farmers here, in our community, who are pushing the industry forward. We were happy to be able to show Minister Thompson what Timmins and the north has to offer.
For more information on the Claybelt Agricultural Project visit: https://bit.ly/3B1fpZe
Amanda Dyer
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- Full-Time Environmental Co-ordinator - Competition No.: GI-2025-07
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