'More relaxed lifestyle': This small northern town invites you to relocate
We continue our Northern Works feature this spring by focusing on five communities in our part of northeastern Ontario and how they live, work and play.
The Township of White River has a lot to offer and not just its connection to a famous storybook character.
Its proximity to the bush -- wedged firmly between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay -- has been a selling point for many looking for a more tranquil pace of life.
When it comes to those who know White River best, one of the top contenders just might be its new mayor.
Born and raised in the community, Mayor Tara Anderson Hart runs a retail store called Northern Emporium.
"Well, aside from me, obviously, thinking White River is an awesome place to be, it has a lot to offer, especially to new, young people, new immigrants to the country, people looking to relocate," Anderson Hart said.
"A little bit more relaxed lifestyle, slower pace of life."
Located on the Trans-Canada Highway, there's even a train to Sudbury if you're looking for a more direct or scenic route.
The community has served as a beacon for those who enjoy the outdoors with fishing, hunting and trapping, but the big selling point right now is the available jobs.
"There's been approximately 90 to 100 jobs continuously posted in White River and in all areas, whether it's an administration type position, labour, engineering, just a huge variety of jobs," Anderson Hart said.
"There's a lot of jobs available for teenagers, so if you're coming and bringing your family, your spouse and yourself are very likely to get jobs and your kids decent summer jobs."
White River Mayor Tara Anderson Hart (Cory Nordstrom/CTV Northern Ontario)
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Mel Jones, the general manager for White River Forest Products, said the forestry company is the biggest employer in town.
"We're currently producing 110 million board feet and we have plans to move that and increase that to 140 million a year," Jones said.
And for those hoping to fish, the community has many bodies of water to explore.
"Growing the business has been getting better, we have a lot of repeat customers that will come three, four times a year. We do have some guys that will come eight times a year, fortunately, they don't live too far away. We always hear good feedback," said Jeremy Archibald of Fishing Moose Lodge on Hammer Lake.
Jeremy Archibald of Fishing Moose Lodge on Hammer Lake near White River. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV Northern Ontario)
Then there's a love of Winnie the Pooh and while it may not be necessary, it's encouraged.
The community's claim to fame is being the home of the real-life bear the character is based on.
"So I think there's kind of something for everybody. It depends what your goals are, very goal-oriented when you come to a small town like White River," Anderson Hart said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.