Will Mattawan join Mattawa?
Mattawa’s Deputy Mayor Mathew Gardiner requested Mattawa’s council reach out to neighbouring Mattawan’s council to undertake an amalgamation study. The plan is to discuss the idea of amalgamation and see if there is any appetite for going along together.
Gardiner noted in his report, “During councils last campaign, and more specifically the candidate’s night, some candidates talked about the importance of amalgamating with our neighbours.”
It’s a “hot topic,” Gardiner admitted, “As the Town of Mattawa often is stuck paying the largest and often unproportionate share of the cost of services that benefit all in the area.” Gardiner also noted it’s a topic that has come up many times before, and he wants to discuss it again in a more formal manner.
Council agreed.
Gardiner recalled a recent council meeting where it discussed a request from Mattawan about creating a Fire Services agreement. Gardiner noted, “At the Council meeting where it was discussed, the majority of the table hinted to the fact that this should be part of a bigger conversation and that we should be looking at combining municipalities instead of contracting out our services and staff.”
See: Surprising twist in amalgamation talks in Almaguin
Mattawan is just down the road from Mattawa. Head west over the bridge on First Street, and once you pass the houses, you’re in Mattawan. As per the 2021 census, about 153 people call the township home, a slight decline from 161, as listed in the 2016 census. The township covers just over 200 square kilometers, which is about 77 square miles.
Compare that to Mattawa, which covers just over 3.5 square kilometres (just under 1.5 square miles). Mattawa, as of the 2021 census, has a population of 1,881.
As for the benefits of amalgamation, Gardiner told council, “The Town of Mattawa, (which is landlocked) could benefit from the increased tax base, increase in population and the vast amounts of land that the Township of Mattawan has for future growth.”
Gardiner added, “In my opinion, this collaboration is the first and easiest step to our region becoming one municipality in the future.”
So, the wheels begin to turn. Mattawa council agreed to begin the study – Mayor Raymond Bélanger was the only no vote – and council members will soon reach out to Mattawan’s council to begin discussions.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.