On the agenda with Geneviève Lajoie, the mayor of the Municipality of Casselman, a meeting to discuss the annexation of some of The Nation municipality’s land, new tools for the fire services including a fire truck and ‘jaws of life’ as well as a green space coming later this year.

Benjamin Richard - Local Journalism Initiative

A new park for birds and poems

The Desjardins Ontario Caisses is partnering with Casselman by providing $200 000 for the development of the Bird’s-Eye-Park. This approximately 500 meter long linear park will include a bird sanctuary and an artistic installation called “The Garden of Poetry”, displaying poems from Franco-Ontarien authors. According to Geneviève Lajoie, mayor of Casselman, they will begin construction this summer and are “hoping [to be open to the public] by the fall, it’s very exciting.”

An expansion of Casselman’s land

The Municipality of Casselman annexed some of its surrounding land which previously belonged to The Nation to expand its water treatment plant. “Currently we’re paying taxes on that land. It’s good form to own the land that your infrastructure’s on” explains Geneviève Lajoie. The municipality held a meeting with its citizens to educate on the topic, as well as gauge public opinion on the matter. “I think there’s a strong misconception that this is kind of a step in expropriation, but it’s really not. It’s not even a topic in my mind when it comes to the annexation” clarified the mayor.