Northern communities campaign to keep local OPP station open
Community members and elected officials in four municipalities in the French River-area along with members of the Dokis First Nation are mounting a community campaign to stop the possible closure of the Ontario Provincial Police detachment in Noëlville. Response times are a big concern along with other factors said those involved in the campaign.
The news of the potential closure comes at a time when officials say the population in the entire area is growing.
"Our municipality is expanding we are getting more population and all of a sudden at the same time the police force is moving away,” said Mayor Paul Branconnier of the Municplaity of St. Charles.
“So I think that is not a good scenario."
Concerned residents said the OPP detachment in Noëlville serves French River, St. Charles, Markstay–Warren, Killarney and the Dokis First Nation.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
A petition is being circulated to stop the possible closure.
OPP have not confirmed, but residents said they have information proving it is being considered.
"Ministry notes have been prepared and so we have started a petition," said Mayor Gisele Pageau of the Municipality of the French River.
“We are going to be doing some submissions to the government to put a stop to it. It's important that we keep our OPP Station here.”
The local MPP France Gélinas told CTV News she plans to introduce the petition at Queen's park this week.
"The OPP will be putting forward a report. The people have an opportunity to be heard either through the petition or to talk to their municipal councillors or the municipality,” said Gelinas.
“Then all of this will be sent to the Solicitor General. It's the Solicitor General who makes the final decision."
Shannon Gardell lives in the community of Alban and was part of organizing the petition against the possible closure.
"With recent closures in Still River and Markstay–Warren that's going to leave detachments only in Sturgeon Falls and Sudbury which is 45 minutes at a minimum away,” said Shannon Gardell. “That delayed response rally isn't helpful to the safety of our community and our citizens.”
In an email, the OPP said there is no identified closure date for the Noëlville detachment.
Community members and the Nickel Belt MPP said they will continue their efforts to show why a closure is unacceptable.
The Noëlville OPP Station on Feb. 18/23. (Alana Everson/CTV News Northern Ontario)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Israel says it reopened a key Gaza crossing after a rocket attack but the UN says no aid has entered
The Israeli military said Wednesday that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers nearby.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.