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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Field Notes • Canada Places

Kapuskasing

Kapuskasing is a town in the Cochrane District of Northern Ontario, Canada, located on the Kapuskasing River along Highway 11.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Kapuskasing is a town in Northern Ontario on the Kapuskasing River. Originally a railway settlement called MacPherson, it was renamed in 1917 and is a regional service centre.

What it is

Kapuskasing is a town in the Cochrane District of Northern Ontario, located along Highway 11 on the Kapuskasing River. It began as a railway settlement in the early 1910s, known as MacPherson, and was renamed in 1917. The name comes from a Cree term meaning roughly 'bend in the river.'

History and geography

The settlement grew around the National Transcontinental Railway and was renamed Kapuskasing in 1917. It also hosted a World War I internment camp. Geographically, the town lies in northeastern Ontario, between Hearst and Timmins, and serves as a hub for surrounding communities.

Economy and demographics

Kapuskasing's economy has long been tied to forestry and paper manufacturing, and it functions as a regional service centre. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 8,057. The community is notably bilingual and largely francophone, reflecting the linguistic character of Northern Ontario.

In short

  • Located in northeastern Ontario on the Kapuskasing River.
  • Originally a railway settlement renamed in 1917.
  • Population of 8,057 (2021 Census).
  • Economy tied to forestry and paper manufacturing.
Canadian angle

Kapuskasing is a Northern Ontario town with strong francophone and resource-industry ties, making it relevant to Canadian transportation, forestry, and northern community development.

Quick questions

Where is Kapuskasing located?
Kapuskasing is in Northern Ontario, Canada, in the Cochrane District on the Kapuskasing River along Highway 11.
What does the name Kapuskasing mean?
It is derived from a Cree term commonly interpreted as 'bend in the river.'
What is Kapuskasing known for economically?
Its economy has historically been tied to forestry and paper manufacturing, along with its role as a regional service centre.

Sources

  1. Statistics Canada — https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/fogs-spg/Page.cfm?Lang=e&Dguid=2021A00053556066&topic=1
    Supports: 2021 population, land area, and population density
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Kapuskasing
    Supports: location, origin as railway station, former name MacPherson, World War I internment camp, economy
  3. Town of Kapuskasing — https://www.kapuskasing.ca/business-building-development/community-profile/
    Supports: community profile, Highway 11 location, population base, railway origins, renaming in 1917
  4. Town of Kapuskasing — https://www.kapuskasing.ca/media/231l135c/community_profile_kapuskasing.pdf
    Supports: meaning of name, service-centre role, railway origins
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapuskasing
    Supports: basic location, former name, website reference