CHAPLEAU EXPRESS
Local News Weekly
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Vol. 31, Issue 7, October 15, 2026
On October 15-26 Please VOTE Your vote is important!
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There’s sparse and then there’s really sparse
Photo of the Chapleau Waterfront. Steve Begnoche photo By Steve Begnoche Ontario is massive. At 415,599 square miles in area (1,076,395 square kilometers), it is larger than the largest U.S. state – Texas – and almost 7.5 times as large as Michigan at 96,716 square miles (146,435 square kilometers). Its nearly 13 million people population is centered along the U.S. border. Its north and far north regions are scantly populated. Michigan’s 9.5 million population is mostly centered in the south, much of it near the Canadian border in southeast Michigan. Population in both places grows sparser as one goes north. Sparse is a non-specific term. Once away from the population centers of Canada and moving north, sparse is really sparse. Meanwhile, to me, Michigan’s UP now feels relatively crowded. Once seemingly remote places I went as a youth now frequently have no trespassing signs, cabins and people.
During Brenda’s and my recent visit to Chapleau, Ontario, we experienced Ontario sparseness as we headed some 75 kilometers through the 2-million-acre Chapleau Crown Game Preserve on a gravel road heading north out of town. It’s not a nature preserve, nor true wilderness. Logging is big business. Signs of timber harvest past and ongoing are frequently encountered. During the couple hour drive we encountered only a few pickup trucks and five log-hauling rugs barreling down the road raising clouds of dust that hung long after we passed one another. A variety of smaller named gravel roads spiderwebbed off to unstated destinations. Small lakes ringed by dense vegetation that dared one to attempt walking through popped up along the way, as did small creeks with true northern bogs. Upon arriving at our destination, Missinaibi Provincial Park, a sign on a partially open gate greeted us with “Ferme, Closed, Do
Not Enter, Gate Locked Without Notice.” Graphics indicated it was open to hikers and canoers. The park stretches 500 kilometers (311 miles) along the Missinaibi River to Moose River, just shy of James Bay on Hudson Bay. It’s best seen by canoe. We considered our options and chose parking just outside the gate to see if we could walk to Missinaibi Lake. Looking at a map I realized we were still miles from the lake and a walk there wasn’t in the cards for that day for us. We did walk for a while in dappled light and delightful quiet. The total lack of humanmade sounds other than what we made was notable. There were no plane sounds overhead. No car or truck sounds. No motor sounds at all. Just the light wind rustling leaves, our conversation and the shuffle of feet. Back at the car, a coyote watched us from shadows in the middle of the road on a small rise just south of where we parked. After it slipped into the woods, I drove slowly, looking in my rearview mirror towards where we last saw it. Sure enough, the coyote came back to the road after we passed by. I pulled over, got out and photographed it as it ambled towards us. To be honest, at the moment, we thought it aws a wolf. Later we determined otherwise, but at the time my adrenaline was flowing. As it neared the car, I jumped in and it sidled off into the woods. Further down the road, we came upon a good-sized bear and, around the next curve, a sow and two cubs. They skedaddled faster than I could reach for a camera. A surveyor’s truck coming out of the park passed us next. It was the only humanity we had seen during an hour of driving and stopping along the wooded way. As we neared Chapleau, vehicles were frequently encountered. Chapleau, a town of 3,000 with a logging heritage still active, is on the Algoma Central Rail route popular for fall color tours some of you have experienced. The rail line runs through the center of town dissecting the town into distinct sections bordered also on the north by the Kebquashening River and the east by the Nebskwashi River. Seaplanes were docked at some homes and businesses. Cont’d on P.5
EXPLORE CANADA THIS WINTER
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, October 15, 2026 - Page 3
Chapleau Moments
Patriotic energy and enthusiasm needed to keep community potential constantly before public, Chapleau Headlight writer says in 1915
From the archives of
Michael J. Morris October 8, 2015
Some things have surely changed in the past 100 years but challenges and opportunities face Chapleau much as they did in 1915 when a writer with the Chapleau Headlight commented on the state of the community. Browsing through the Richard Brownlee papers, kindly loaned to me by Margaret Rose and Bobby Fortin, I discovered a brief history of Chapleau, which appeared in the first edition of the Headlight on December 3, 1915. It covers the years from 1885 when the community was established after the arrival of the CPR to 1915. By 1915, a waterworks system had been installed, a fire department and electric light system established as well as the Lady Minto Hospital and Town Hall both opened in 1914. There were two schools and three churches -Roman Catholic, Methodist (United) and Anglican (Church of England. The population was apparently well over 2,000 and there was a bustling business community with five general stores operating by 1887. World War I had started in 1914, and as Michael McMullen and I note in our book 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War', Chapleau produced
Chapleau early 1900s
Opera House 1915 283 volunteers, a very significant number, given the size of the community. But, the Headlight writer, who is not identified, posed the question, "What about the future?' It would seem that the question would seem as important today as it was in 1915 -- in fact, not only for Chapleau, but for all communities, especially in rural Canada. What are the possibilities as well as what
Main Street circa 1915
is the attitude of local citizens? In 1915, the writer commented that "There are a large number who look upon Chapleau as just about having reached the zenith of its development , it being contended that as a railway terminal it has practically nothing else to look forward to. That, however, seems to the writer to be the view of the man who looks at the surface and does not try to find out what lies underneath." The writer continued: " How is Chapleau located for further possible development? The town is situated on the headwater of one of the chief streams flowing into James Bay and stands about on the southern boundary of the great clay belt. Cont’d on P.5
First Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
Plan to Travel within Canada
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, October 15, 2026 - Page 4
Club Maria Chapdelaine Du nouveau aux élections municipales : VOTER EN LIGNE Ça vous fait peur un peu? Peut-être que ces informations vont vous rassurer. Le vote en ligne peut sembler intimidant, surtout pour les personnes qui ne sont pas très à l'aise avec la technologie. Il est donc tout à fait normal d'avoir des questions ou certaines inquiétudes. La bonne nouvelle, c'est que le système est conçu pour être simple et sécuritaire. Le vote se fait étape par étape et des mesures sont en place pour protéger votre identité et assurer le secret de votre vote. Une fois votre bulletin soumis, vous recevez également un reçu confirmant que votre vote a été enregistré. Voici quelques réponses à des questions courantes : Quand auront lieu les élections? Période de vote : du jeudi 15 octobre au lundi 26 octobre 2026 Jour des élections : lundi 26 octobre 2026 Mon vote est-il secret? Oui. Même avec votre NIP et votre mot de passe, il est impossible de savoir pour qui vous avez voté. Votre identité est séparée de votre bulletin de vote. Comment savoir si mon vote a été enregistré? Vous devez entrer votre identifiant, votre NIP et votre date de naissance. Une fois le vote soumis et enregistré, vous recevez un reçu avec un numéro unique.
FormationPLUS C'est avec beaucoup de plaisir et de fierté que nous avons souligner une étape importante : les 35 ans de FormationPLUS!
aussi de regarder vers l'avenir.
Depuis toutes ces années, notre centre a évolué, grandi et s'est adapté aux besoins de notre communauté. Mais une chose est demeurée au cœur de notre mission : les personnes apprenantes.
Merci à toutes les personnes qui ont contribué, au fil des années, à faire de FormationPLUS ce qu'il est aujourd'hui : nos personnes apprenantes, nos formatrices et formateurs, nos partenaires, les membres de nos conseils d'administration, nos bénévoles et toute la communauté.
FormationPLUS, c'est un endroit où l'on vient apprendre, développer de nouvelles compétences, relever des défis, faire de nouvelles rencontres… mais surtout, un endroit où chacun peut avancer à son propre rythme et croire en ses capacités.
Et surtout, un immense merci à vous d'être venus célébrer ce moment si spécial avec nous! Votre présence a rendu cette célébration encore plus significative. Un gros merci à tous les commanditaires qui ont supportés ce bel évènement. Ce fût très apprécié!
Cette porte ouverte était donc l'occasion de célébrer notre histoire, de vous faire découvrir nos services et nos cours, mais
Longue vie à FormationPLUS, notre centre d'apprentissage francophone pour adultes! Et que cette belle aventure se
Puis-je changer mon vote après l'avoir soumis? Non. Une fois le vote confirmé, il ne peut plus être modifié. Dois-je terminer le vote en une seule fois? Oui. Le processus doit être complété en une seule session. Puis-je voter pour une seule personne si je le désire? Oui. Rien ne vous oblige à voter pour un maire et quatre conseillers ou conseillères. Vous pouvez voter pour moins de personnes si vous le désirez. C'est votre droit.
AFEC Fierté et rassemblement pour la Fête du drapeau !
Comment empêche-t-on une personne de voter deux fois? Dès qu'une personne vote, son nom est automatiquement retiré de la liste électorale. La date, l'heure et le lieu du vote sont également enregistrés. Bref, il est important de se rappeler qu'on n'a pas besoin d'être un expert en informatique pour voter en ligne. Prenez votre temps, lisez attentivement les instructions et n'hésitez pas à demander de l'aide si vous éprouvez des difficultés.
Le 25 septembre dernier, nous avons célébré avec grand enthousiasme la Fête du drapeau franco-ontarien. Au programme : des activités animées pour petits et grands ainsi qu'un délicieux BBQ partagé dans une ambiance festive et conviviale.Un grand merci à toutes les personnes qui se sont jointes à nous pour faire de cet événement un succès et pour faire rayonner nos couleurs, le vert et le blanc, avec autant de fierté !
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, October 15, 2026 - Page 5
Chapleau Moments Cont’d from P.3 "North and east of the town is an unlimited acreage of agricultural land equal to the best in New Ontario. "It is surrounded in every direction by immense forest. "Its location marks it out, if its position is taken advantage of, as being the centre through which a large volume of the business that will necessarily develop in the north will find its way to the markets of the south and west” (As an aside, Chapleau vigorously pursued being located on the Trans Canada Highway, and a bit later community minded citizens like Gene Bernier and Yvon Martel led the campaign for an airport.) In conclusion, the Headlight writer issued a challenge. "What Chapleau requires is a little patriotic energy and enthusiasm on the part of its citizens to keep the natural advantage of its situation and the resources of the country surrounding it constantly before the public. "With this done, what is now one of the best towns in New Ontario can be made the centre of a very large and prosperous country.
CPR Yards and Monk Street circa 1915 "Are we willing to do the hustling necessary to bring this about or are we going to pass it off to another generation? That is the question for present day citizens of Chapleau." One hundred years later, "plus ca change; plus c'est la même chose" for Chapleau. Here are the names of some of the "Citizens League" members who founded the Chapleau Headlight, all famous citizens: T.J. Godfrey, G.B. Nicholson, J.D. McAdam, all
reeves); Rev. Father Romeo Gascon, Dr. J.J. Sheahan, V.T. Chapple, Edgar Pellow, J.O. Stanley, W.R. McAdam, Rev. P.R. Soanes and Rev G.W. Lynd. I have used some photos from the Chapleau Public Library collection, compiled in large measure by Doug Greig to provide a glimpse of Chapleau, circa 1915. I highly recommend a visit to the library site. My email is mj.morris@live.ca
There’s sparse and then there’s really sparse At Aubrey Falls Provincial Park people again were to be encountered more frequently. A camper told us the province established the park in name, but mostly has done nothing with it. So, people set up what appeared to be seasonal to semipermanent camps at no charge on the few cleared areas with boat launches or other rustic features. Fall color was l i m ited near One of our animal neighbors in the north-a coyote crossing the road. Chapleau, which is in Steve Begnoche photo boreal forest in the Cont’d from P.2 Arctic basin. Colors brightened roadsides as we Heading south out of Chapleau, one headed into the highlands separating that area drives Hwy 129 for 100 or more miles without from the Great Lakes basin and the northern any roadside services and only the occasional Great Lakes forests which support maple in far road going to a backwoods lodge. We were greater abundance. cautioned it’s not a good route at night due to 240 kilometers after leaving Chapleau, moose and bear on the road. I was too tired the we arrived in Thessalon on the Lake Huron two nights we were there to drive a section to see shoreline. We worked our way back to the how frequent such encounters are. International Bridge to return to Michigan
stopping at quaint towns such as Bruce Mines. The Soo seemed a big city. Back home in Paradise, it was apparent what often seems to be a sparsely settled part of the UP, is by comparison to the “Unorganized North Algoma” region of Ontario, well-populated. I thought about the early summer brouhaha over wildfire smoke from Ontario, and realized we Americans don’t readily fathom the vastness of our northern neighbor. The drought still hung on during our visit. Any fire could spread easily in areas with few roads, few firefighting opportunities. And I thought about the current trade war our President started. Stupid. Canadians were friendly, helpful. In the North Algoma region they rely on forest products, mining, fishing, guiding and tourism for their livelihood. They aren’t ripping us off. Their options are few. It’s good to get to know your neighbor, methinks. Steve Begnoche, sbegnoche@ yahoo.com. is a mostly retired community journalist who writes about the world around us – even on the other side of the Great Lakes.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, October 15, 2026 - Page 6
Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME
On Nov. 1, 1512, Michelangelo's famous ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel were first exhibited t o t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c i n Va t i c a n C i t y. Commissioned by Pope Julius II, they spanned thousands of square feet, included more than 300 figures, and took several years to complete.
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, October 15, 2026 - Page 7
Four Ways Newspapers Spark Important Conversations There have never been more ways to find information, share opinions and join a conversation. But with social media feeds increasingly shaped by algorithms, it's easy to see more of what already interests us and less of what we might not have looked for ourselves. Consuming news stories is only half the entertainment value; the other half comes from the conversations they spark. Here are four ways newspapers connect us with the people, issues and ideas shaping our communities. 1. Breaking the algorithmic echo chamber Algorithms can influence what appears in our feeds based on our interests, previous activity and what is likely to keep us engaged. Newspapers offer something different and expose you to a variety of viewpoints, ensuring you are getting unbiased local and global perspectives. 2. Connecting communities Local newspapers ensure local stories are heard. When Canadians rely solely on global sources, they lose a sense of community. Newspapers celebrate milestones, culture, local events and more. Newspapers encourage the community to raise important topics to find common ground on or debate. 3. Holding decision-makers accountable Journalists attend council meetings, ask
questions, investigate issues and report on the decisions that affect their communities. By providing verified information and context, newspapers are essential for accountability and hold leaders and politicians accountable for their actions and words. This allows for open conversation, no matter your political background. 4. Amplifying local voices Global and national media tend to amplify the loudest political extremes. Newspapers pass the microphone to local voices like business owners, residents and community members. This keeps coffee-table conversations familiar and relatable. Newspapers keep readers informed, inspired, and connected. They give us the information we need to engage in meaningful conversations with our communities as we work toward a stronger future. This is something to celebrate during National Newspaper Week - an ode to the work of Canadian journalists in maintaining a healthy democracy. Real people, reporting real news. This year, National Newspaper Week ran from October 4 to 10,
2026. Why We Celebrate National Newspaper Week National Newspaper Week is an annual opportunity to recognize the critical role newspapers play in an active and healthy democracy, and it is celebrated in North America during the first week of October. Local newspapers deliver vital information to Canadians every day, connecting local communities across the country and keeping citizens informed, engaged, and connected.
They Threatened to Invade by Sundown by Charlie Angus / The Resistance The threats against Canada have been on the table since day one of the Trump regime. But now we are learning just how real the threat is. According to Chrystia Freeland’s new book Unreliable Boyfriend (terrible title, I think), Howard Lutnick threatened to send troops across the border by “sundown” to force Premier Doug Ford to bend the knee to Donald Trump. Lutnick was enraged that Canada was acting like “Ukraine” by refusing to give in to the gangster regime in Washington. He claimed that Canada “needed to say sorry” to the president for standing up for our sovereignty. To make that happen, Trump set out to “break some guy in Ontario.” The “guy” in question was Premier Doug Ford. It was total gangster language. Ontario’s steel, auto, manufacturing and softwood mills were being hammered. In response, Ford was all over the American media acting as Captain Canada. He vowed to impose a 25% surcharge on energy exports to the United
States as a countermeasure. In retaliation, Lutnick threatened to send American troops across the border to seize Canadian land “by sundown” unless Ford backed down. Doug Ford waved the white flag and has basically gone to ground ever since. Threatening to invade our country is a blockbuster allegation, but it appeared like a gossipy aside in a long excerpt in The Globe and Mail from Freeland’s book. What to make of it? Well, let’s start with the notion that Canada needs to say sorry after being threatened and having our industries attacked unilaterally. Lutnick, Hoekstra, Navarro, Trump and gang have been infuriated that Canada didn’t immediately roll over when they targeted our industries. They don’t see us as a sovereign nation, but as a vassal people deserving punishment. As little as two weeks ago, Trump reiterated the threat, saying Canada would come forward to say “sorry, sir.” He said that we were in the process of “being taught a lesson.”
Lutnick’s statement that we were acting like Ukrainians is telling. Trump has made no secret of his belief that Vladimir Putin’s murderous invasion of Ukraine was an act of “savvy” brilliance. Like Putin, he is furious that the Ukrainians have stood up to the Kremlin. Trump sees Canada in the same way that Putin sees Ukraine — that we have no right to an independent future. As for the threat to send troops across the border by sunset? Freeland points out that Lutnick didn’t have the authority to launch an invasion. Of course, Lutnick Cont’d on P.8
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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, October 15, 2026 - Page 8
Ontario Moving to Permanent Daylight Saving Time in Parts of Northwestern Ontario Proposed change will allow the region to remain aligned with neighbouring communities in Manitoba The Ontario government intends to make daylight saving time permanent in Kenora and the northwestern regions of Ontario that have historically been aligned with neighbouring Manitoba. The proposed regulatory change would be implemented by November 1, 2026, to ensure there is no disruption for businesses, families and Indigenous communities in Ontario’s central time zone. Maintaining alignment with Manitoba would help businesses operate more efficiently across provincial boundaries, while making it easier for residents and service providers to coordinate activities such as health-care appointments and travel. “Providing certainty and predictability is essential to supporting strong communities and a competitive economy,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “By keeping this part of the province aligned with Manitoba, our government is taking a practical, common-sense approach to avoid unnecessary disruptions and ensure economic stability in communities that reside in Ontario’s central time zone.” This decision comes after considerable engagement with communities throughout
northwestern Ontario, including Indigenous leaders, that began following Manitoba’s declaration of permanently moving to daylight saving time. This engagement revealed substantial support for maintaining alignment with Manitoba. The government will continue to work with local leaders and communities as this proposed change moves forward. “Through the collective efforts of communities and First Nations across the northwest, we’ve led a process to build consensus the right way, with detailed and nuanced considerations,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships. “What has emerged is unanimous support across the region to move to permanent daylight saving time, and our government is proud to support the people of northwestern Ontario as we make this decision, together.” Under the proposed change, affected communities in northwestern Ontario that currently change their clocks seasonally would
not need to turn them back on November 1, 2026. Communities west of the 90th meridian would share the same time as the remainder of Ontario during the winter months. This change would be made through a regulation under the Time Act. Daylight saving time is the portion of the year from March to November during which the time in effect is one hour ahead of the standard time observed during the rest of the year. The central time zone begins west of the 90th meridian, a north-south line of longitude that crosses northwestern Ontario. Ontario communities in the eastern time zone would continue to change their clocks twice a year. On September 17, 2026, Manitoba announced plans to adopt permanent daylight saving time beginning November 1, 2026. The Time Amendment Act, 2020 would make daylight saving time permanent as the standard time year-round in all of Ontario, when brought into force. Coordination with neighbouring jurisdictions such as Quebec and New York is important for trade, the stock market and broadcasting.
They Threatened to Invade by Sundown Cont’d from P.7 didn’t have the authority to send troops. He was acting as Trump’s loudmouth enforcer. This is how Trump has done business since he was in charge of collecting rent at his dad’s buildings in Queens. In the book Art of the Deal, Trump praised one of his tenant enforcers, Irving. The man was small and bald, with hands Trump says were “like jello,” but he was absolutely vicious. Trump bragged about the time Irving met a 10year-old girl at the door and screamed at her, “Tell your dad to pay his f-ing rent, or I’m going to knock his ass off.” Trump wrote that this kind of malice left a strong impression on him. If it was okay to threaten a 10-year-old,
why not journalists? Or sitting judges? Or independent nations? Howard Lutnick (who lied about bringing his children to Epstein Island) has won Trump’s favour because he is carrying on the tradition of Irving. Perhaps Lutnick was just trying to act like a tough guy, but Ford took him seriously. The question is not so much whether the United States would have sent troops across the border, but that an American trade negotiator put military threat on the table in the first place. It must be taken with the utmost seriousness. The White House antagonism towards Canada has never wavered, so we must assume they may follow through at some p o i n t . We
know that if we back down or our leaders go to ground, then our nation is finished. But over the last two years, the world has witnessed a remarkable transformation in Canada. Wherever I go in this immense, beautiful land, I meet people who have thought long and hard about the value of our national sovereignty. We will meet the challenge. We won’t ever bend to gangsters. Lutnick and his crowd are enraged with us for a reason. They cannot abide a proud democratic nation on the border. Hence the threats and attempts at intimidation. No matter what the threat, Canadians will hold the line.
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