 the province allocates money to the school boards in cities and towns and rural areas across the province.
In 1998, West Parry Sound School Board amalgamated with East Parry Sound and North Bay District School Boards to form the Near North District School Board - the major English Public school board in the region. There are 3 other school boards operating in the North Bay area: Separate (Catholic) French, Separate (Catholic) English, and Public French, which makes the situation even more confusing.
Summary: Currently cottagers on the north side pay municipal taxes to West Nipissing while those on the south side pay land taxes. Cottagers on both sides of the river pay education taxes.
The amalgamation of Bertram Township with the Municipality of West Nipissing in 1999 resulted in the UFRCA becoming much more politically involved. One of the major contributions of the UFRCA to the entire municipality was the successful request for mail-in voting. This process has now been used successfully in the 2003, 2006, and 2010 municipal elections, and has been positively received not only by cottagers but also by many local residents who have found it difficult to access traditional voting locations. Municipal elections are now held every four years. To be eligible to vote, one must own property or reside in the municipality, be 19 years of age and older, and be a Canadian citizen.
Upper French River Political Contacts
Municipal Main Office
225 Holditch Street
Sturgeon Falls, ON P2B 1T1
Tel: (705) 753-2250
Fax: (705) 753-3950
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Ward 8 Bertram Township Councillor:
10521 Highway 64
Tel: (705) 594-2301
406 Leclair Road
Tel: (705) 594-9382
Municipal Office (705) 753-2250 Ext. 6900
Fax: (705) 753-3950
Members of Parliament (2010 Federal Election)
Riding of Nickel Belt (includes Sturgeon Falls and Bertram Township)
Claude Gravelle (NDP)
Riding of Parry Sound – Muskoka (includes Hardy and Patterson Townships)
Tony Clement (PC)
Members of Provincial Parliament (2010 Provincial Election)
Riding of Timiskaming-Cochrane (includes Sturgeon Falls and Bertram Township)
John Vanthof (NDP)
Riding of Parry Sound – Muskoka
Norm Miller (PC)