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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Kapuskasing

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

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kapuskasing is a town in the Cochrane District of Northern Ontario, Canada, located on the Kapuskasing River along Highway 11. It began as a railway settlement known as MacPherson and was renamed Kapuskasing in 1917. The town is a regional service centre with an economy historically shaped by forestry and paper production.

History

Kapuskasing grew from a railway settlement established in the early 1910s. It was known as MacPherson until 1917, when it adopted its present name. The town also had a World War I internment camp and later developed as a northern service centre.

Geography

The town lies on the Kapuskasing River in the Cochrane District of northeastern Ontario. It is situated along Highway 11 between Hearst and Timmins and is one of the larger communities in the area.

Economy

Kapuskasing’s economy has been shaped by forestry, pulp and paper production, and related resource industries. It also functions as a service centre for nearby communities and regional projects.

Demographics

Kapuskasing had a population of 8,057 in the 2021 Census. Sources describe it as a bilingual or largely francophone northern community, reflecting the linguistic character of the region.

Key facts

  • Kapuskasing is located in northeastern Ontario on the Kapuskasing River.
  • The settlement originally developed as MacPherson around the National Transcontinental Railway.
  • The town was renamed Kapuskasing in 1917.
  • The 2021 Census recorded a population of 8,057.
  • The local economy has long been associated with forestry and paper manufacturing.
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Canadian context

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

Frequently asked questions

Where is Kapuskasing located?
Kapuskasing is in Northern Ontario, Canada, in the Cochrane District on the Kapuskasing River along Highway 11.
What is Kapuskasing’s population?
The 2021 Census recorded a population of 8,057.
What was Kapuskasing called before 1917?
It was known as MacPherson before being renamed Kapuskasing in 1917.
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.

References

  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