Country Canada Formed January 1, 1999 Postal Code N0H Population 8,413 (2011) Province Ontario | County Bruce Time zone EST (UTC-5) Area code(s) 519 and 226 Local time Monday 4:13 PM | |
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Weather 5°C, Wind W at 13 km/h, 96% Humidity Points of interest Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, Sauble Falls Provincial, Spirit Rock Conservation Area, Sauble River | ||
South Bruce Peninsula is a town at the base of the Bruce Peninsula of Ontario, Canada, in Bruce County between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. It was formed on January 1, 1999, when the Town of Wiarton, the Village of Hepworth, and the townships of Albemarle and Amabel were amalgamated.
Contents
- Map of South Bruce Peninsula ON Canada
- Communities
- Town politics and services
- Demographics
- Attractions
- References
Map of South Bruce Peninsula, ON, Canada
According to Town records, the Corporation of the Town of South Bruce Peninsula is an amalgamated municipality consisting "of the former Town of Wiarton, Township of Albemarle, Village of Hepworth and Township of Amabel. This new municipality was created to provide necessary political representation, administrative support and necessary municipal services on behalf of the residents of the Town of South Bruce Peninsula."
Tourism, particularly cottage rental and providing services to visitors, is the major industry in the area. Many cottages are found along Sauble Beach (North and South).
Communities
The town comprises a number of villages and larger communities. These include Allengord, of Adamsville, Clavering, Colpoy's Bay, Elsinore, Hepworth, Hope Bay, Howdenvale, Mar, McIvor, Oliphant, Park Head, Purple Valley, Red Bay and Howdendale, Sauble Beach, and Wiarton. The administrative centre of the region is found in Wiarton.
Town politics and services
An elected mayor, deputy major and three councilors provide the municipal government, guided by provincial legislation. A number of Committees and local Boards assist Council. "Council establishes policies and budgets for programs and services delivered by the Town of South Bruce Peninsula." The Legislative Services Department includes the Clerk's Division, By-Law Enforcement and Animal Control, and the Building Division.
The Town's Community-Based Strategic Plan, Creating Our Future, was originally completed in 2012 and was updated in 2014 and 2016. The intent is to "ensure the protection of the natural resources while balancing the desire for business, tourism and recreational opportunities."
The Parks & Recreation Department services parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, ball diamonds, arena, aquatic programs and various programs. The town has Fire stations but policing is provided by the Ontario Provincial Police from the Wiarton Detachment.
There has been some friction between the Town and the Saugeen First Nation because of continuing land claims in the Sauble Beach area. A settlement was mediated in 2014 but was subsequently rejected by South Bruce, leading to a law suit against the Town, to be heard in court no earlier than 2018.
There is one hospital in the Town, Wiarton Hospital with emergency and ambulance services, with 14 beds. Nearby, though outside the Town, is the Grey-Bruce Regional Health Centre in Owen Sound. The latter is larger and is the regional referral centre for Grey and Bruce counties with over 50 specialists on staff.
Demographics
Mother tongue:
Population trend:
Attractions
The main tourist attractions for the area are Sauble Beach, Wiarton Willie (Groundhog Day), and fishing locations such as Pike Bay.
The region has many annual festivals such as Sandfest held in the location Sauble Beach as well as the Oliphant regetta.
The Bruce Trail, the oldest and longest marked hiking trail in Canada, with over 440 km of side trails, runs near the Town.