Building a better tomorrow, together with Earth Day Canada, Aviva Canada is taking action on climate change and helping to build stronger, more resilient communities by investing in public charging stations for electric vehicles. Charged for Change is a program that funds public electric vehicle (EV) charging installations in communities across Canada with limited or no access to EV infrastructure. Join us as we celebrate the unique stories of our Charged for Change communities in the Township of Essa, Ontario, as they transition towards electric mobility.
Simcoe County’s Essa, Ontario - 44°15′N 79°47′W
In the spaces between Toronto and Barrie, Ontario, concrete relents and gives way to green pastures, farmers’ fields, and rolling landscapes. One such sweet spot is found in the Township of Essa, 100 kms North of Toronto and 14 kms southwest of Barrie. With the Nottawasaga River running through it, the idyllic outdoors is a natural paradise for residents and visitors alike.
Treaty 18
Prior to and following the major settlement of the Essa region, the area has been and continues to be the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe Peoples. With the growing settler population after the War of 1812, the colonial government set out to negotiate a treaty for the areas surrounding Lake Simcoe, guided by the protocol established by the Royal Proclamation of 1763, “Treaty 18, was made between the Chippewa near Lake Simcoe (the current Chippewa of Rama First Nation, Chippewas of Beausoleil First Nation, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island) and the colonial government of Upper Canada. On October 17, 1818, Mississauga leaders including Chief Musquakie (or Yellowhead), and colonial officials met near the Holland River in the Township of King to negotiate the treaty and sign. Treaty 18 outlines the surrender of 1,592,000 acres of land (encompassing current-day communities such as Collingwood and Bradford) in exchange for an annual payment of £1200 in goods “at the Montreal price” in perpetuity.”1
Essa’s first settlers
In 1820, the area was surveyed. In 1821, it became a township under the “Act for the better division of this Province”2. It’s said that “In 1826 George Dinwoody and his wife, the Thomas Duff family and Samuel McClain, all from County Monaghan, Ireland, walked from York via Yonge Street across the Great Swamp to Essa Township.”3 Legend has it that they had their oxen swim across the Nottawasaga River to reach their future homestead. First residing in a shanty, then a log house, the Dinwoody’s built the first brick home in the Township in 1843.
Things to do in Essa today
Barrie Fair: organized by Essa and District Agricultural Society, who aims to “connect both urban and rural communities together, and raise awareness on agriculture and it’s traditions”, the fair promises midway rides and games, a demolition derby, a truck and tractor pull, live entertainment, livestock shows, vendors and more!
Base Borden Military Museum: as one of Canada's largest Military Museums, it includes 9 military museums concentrated in one central area and features items like armoured fighting vehicles and artillery pieces dating from WWI to post-WWII aircraft, weapons, equipment, uniforms, and various artifacts.
Essa North Renaissance Faire: Discover the height of fun with a trip back to the middle-ages with entertainment and activities of the age featuring jousting, birds of prey, comedy, music and more.
Charged for Change: Public charging stations and infrastructure for electric vehicles
We’re thrilled to have been welcomed to the Township of Essa to fund the installation of EV charging stations, allowing climate-conscious drivers to charge their vehicles amongst the beautiful landscapes along the Nottawasaga River.
Stay tuned for our next EV journey to another Charged for Change municipality, the Municipality of East Ferris, Ontario. Visit Charged for Change: Bringing electric vehicle charging infrastructure to your community (aviva.ca) to learn more.
2 Angus, Ontario nature trails: map and details • Ontario Nature Trails
3 Essa's First Settlers - Essa, ON (breken.com)
