(, time zone
EST ) is a city in
Northeastern Ontario ,
Canada (
2001 population 52,771). North Bay takes its name from its position on the shore of
Lake Nipissing , and covers an
Area of 314.92 sq km (121.6 sq. mi.) It is the seat of
Nipissing District .
.]]
The area was first explored by
Samuel De Champlain .
In
1882 ,
John Ferguson decided that the north bay of Lake Nipissing was a promising spot for settlement. North Bay was incorporated as a town in
1891 . The first mayor was
John Bourke . Bourke Street is named after him.
The town began to prosper due to the presence of three railway companies and a strong lumber industry. In
1919 , John Ferguson was elected mayor of North Bay and continued to serve as mayor until
1922 . North Bay was incorporated as a city in August
1925 . The
Dionne Quintuplets were born in
Corbeil, Ontario , on the outskirts of North Bay in
1934 . In January
1968 the city of North Bay amalgamated with West Ferris and Widdifield townships.
, a neighbourhood of North Bay.]]
North Bay is located approximately 330 km (210 mi) north of
Toronto, Ontario and differs in geography from
Southern Ontario in that North Bay is situated on the
Canadian Shield . This gives rise to a different and more rugged landscape.
North Bay is geographically unique in that it straddles both the Ottawa River watershed to the east and the Great Lakes watershed to the west.
North Bay, critically situated at the junctions of
Highway 11 and
Highway 17 , remains a major transportation centre for
Northern Ontario . It is the southern terminus of the
Ontario Northland Railway , and is served by the
Jack Garland Airport .
The climate in North Bay is common to most places in
Northern Ontario . North Bay tends to be a less humid climate than that found in
Southern Ontario due somewhat to the distance from the
Great Lakes .
.]]
North Bay is somewhat more economically diverse than other
Northern Ontario communities, although a large percentage of the city's jobs are public sector in nature with education and government dominating the list of the city's top employers.
North Bay is the home of
Nipissing University , founded in
1992 , and of
Canadore College , founded in
1967 . Approximately 6,810 full-time students (and thousands more part-time students) are enrolled at the two post-secondary institutions, which share a campus in the west end of the city.
North Bay is the site of
CFB North Bay (22 Wing), a
North American Aerospace Defense Command control center, with operations taking place inside a facility located deep underground, similar to, but on a much smaller scale than, the famous
Cheyenne Mountain base in Colorado. Although historically 22 Wing was a sizable operation, today it employs approximately 500 personnel.
The service industry, tourism, transportation and manufacturing also play a significant role in the city's economy.
In recent years the city has gained prominence as a hub of arts and culture in Ontario, due to its vibrant community of artists, musicians, actors and writers. In 2004, the
TV Ontario program '
Studio 2 ' selected North Bay as being one of the top 3 most artistically talented communities in the Province. North Bay's reputation as a sophisticated university town, desirable retirement community and four season vacation destination continues to grow.
The city has big plans for the waterfront. Besides the Carousel that was built in 2004, a long mini train is going to be built.
- 600 AM - CKAT , Country Music
- 92.5 FM - CHIM-1 , Christian music (rebroadcaster of CHIM Timmins )
- 93.5 FM - CFDN , Franco-ontarian community
- 95.1 FM - CBON-17 , La Première Chaîne
- 96.1 FM - CBCN , CBC Radio One
- 100.5 FM - CHUR , '' EZRock '' Adult Contemporary
- 101.9 FM - CKFX , ''The Fox'' Active Rock
- 103.5 FM - Christian music, to replace 89.5 FM CJTK-1 in 2006
- 104.9 FM - CKTR, tourist information
- 106.3 FM - CFXN , Country Music (to launch in 2006 )
North Bay's main daily newspaper is the ''
North Bay Nugget '', owned by
Osprey Media .
on display at
Lee Park .]]
- Population in 2001: 52,771
- Land area (square km): 314.92
- Median total income of persons 15 years of age and over ($): 20,802
- Median family income ($) All census families: 53,668
- Average value of dwelling ($): 140,000
- % of the population with a university certificate, diploma or degree: 50.7
Based on the
Canada 2001 Census .
- 93.2% White
- 5.5% Aboriginal
- 0.5% Black
Prominent North Bay people include:
- Alex Auld , NHL goalie
- Jaymz Bee , musician, radio personality and former frontman of The Look People
- Giles Blunt , author
- Gerald Bull , controversial aerospace engineer
- Billy Coutu , NHL hockey player
- John Critchley , musician and vocalist for alternative rock band 13 Engines
- Ed Eng , internationally acclaimed photographer
- Michael J. Fox , actor
- Dennis Geden , internationally acclaimed painter
- Bobby Gimby , orchestra leader, singer/songwriter who wrote the Canadian Centennial Song
- Mike Harris , former Premier Of Ontario
- Susan Hay , Global news reporter
- High Holy Days , Rock Music group
- Troy Hurtubise , inventor
- Gerry Mendicino , actor
- Chantal Nadon , world champion Kick Boxer
- Steve Omischl , world aerial and overall freestyle ski champion
- Kate Pace-Lindsay , world downhill alpine ski champion
- Lance Storm , former WWE Intercontinental Champion
- Scott Thompson , comedic actor
Cartoonist
Lynn Johnston lives just outside the city in nearby
Corbeil , and the famous
Dionne Quintuplets were born on the outskirts of the city between Corbeil and Callander.
Roy Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson Of Fleet started his empire in North Bay in
1931 with the purchase of an AM radio station, CFCH, and moving it to North Bay. Thomson Park in North Bay is named in his honour.
Building in North Bay]]
