The Chapleau Advantage

Chapleau has a healthy economy based largely on the Forestry and Transportation sectors. Chapleau also has a strong Tourism sector and has seen recent growth in Mining activity.

Major employers include:

Key Sectors

In the private sectore, Chapleau currently has four key sectors. These sectors are foundational and support many jobs directly and indirectly.

Forestry

The forestry sector is healthy and growing across Canada. Forestry exports have more than doubled since 2009, and analysts are predicting 40,000 to 120,000 job openings in logging operations, mills and wood-product manufacturing plants over the next six years. Chapleau is home to a thriving forest industry, which includes the following:

Green First Forest Products currently operates a softwood lumber sawmill and biomass cogeneration plant in Chapleau. This mill directly employs 150 people in the community.

True North Timber (TNT), which has been in operating for over 15 years, is a Chapleau based forestry contracting business. The company employs around 85 workers either directly or indirectly. TNT has won many industry awards for health and safety.

North Country Log Homes began in 1977 and offers log home kits and log siding products which are manufactured by Devon Mills Ltd. on specialized equipment known as the Chisum Log Mill.

Quick Facts on Chapleau's Forestry Industry

Estimated Employment: 255 jobs

Employers: Tembec, True North Timber, Multech, North Country Log Homes

Products: Random-size lumber, electricity, log home kits, fencing, decking, lumber, moulding, mulch, large timber products

Transportation

Canadian Pacific Railway was the first railway to stretch from the East to West coast of Canada. Chapleau has been part of that history, functioning as a division point since 1885. CP Rail employs almost 200 people in Chapleau.

The CP Rail line also hosts a VIA Rail passenger train that runs from Sudbury to White River and stops in Chapleau six times a week. For more on VIA Rail and to book a trip go to www.viarail.ca.

Quick Facts on Chapleau's Transportation Sector

Estimated Employment: 200 jobs

Employers: CP Rail, Hallcon Corporation

Products: Freight shipping, public transit, fully serviced airport

Tourism

Tourist Information Centre (TIC)/ Chapleau Centennial Museum

Stop in the Tourist Information Centre for directions, information, brochures, ice cream or check out the exhibitions and monuments celebrating our town's history.

The TIC is open seasonally. If you're visiting during the off season, please stop by the Municipal Office located at 20 Pine Street West. or call (705) 864-1330.

Hours of Operation
May (Victoria Day weekend) to July 1st:
Fridays: 5pm-7pm
Saturdays & Sundays: 10am-5pm
July 1st to September 2nd:
Monday – Thursday: 9am-5pm
Friday, and Saturday: 8am-8pm
Sunday: 9am-5pm

Fly-in fishing camps, lodges, and outfitters are abundant and well equipped in the Chapleau area. In 2011, Chapleau was named the World Fishing Network's Ultimate Fishing Town Canada confirming our reputation as a world-class destination for fishing tourism.

There are over 20 outfitters and lodges in the Chapleau area. Find their businesses and contact information in the Chapleau Business Directory.

Quick Facts on Chapleau's Tourism Sector

Estimated Employment: 60-80 jobs

Employers: Outfitters, lodges, and motels

Products: Fly-in fishing, big and small game hunting, Annual Ice Fishing Derby, motel accomodations, training courses, youth trips, wilderness expeditions, cultural experiences, canoeing, kayaking, ATV'ing

Mining

Gold has been the main attraction in Chapleau in recent years. A significant deposit is located just 15 kilometres outside Chapleau on Highway 101 East near Borden Lake. Goldcorp Inc. is in the advanced exploration stage. Many mining juniors have staked property in the area and are hoping to move into the exploration phase.

For more information, follow the Chapleau Mining Readiness and Growth Strategy (2016)