| Petawawa | |
| Official Name: | Town of Petawawa |
| Settlement Type: | Town (lower-tier) |
| Flag Size: | 120x100px |
| Pushpin Map: | CAN ON Renfrew#Canada Southern Ontario |
| Coordinates: | 45.9°N -94°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Canada |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name1: | Ontario |
| Subdivision Name2: | Renfrew |
| Established Title: | Incorporated (town) |
| Established Date: | July 1, 1997 |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Gary Serviss |
| Leader Title1: | Governing Body |
| Leader Name1: | Petawawa Town Council |
| Leader Title2: | MPs |
| Leader Name2: | Cheryl Gallant |
| Leader Title3: | MPP |
| Leader Name3: | John Yakabuski |
| Area Land Km2: | 164.70 |
| Population Total: | 18,160 |
| Population As Of: | 2021 |
| Population Density Km2: | 110.3 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | K8H |
| Timezone: | EST |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
Petawawa is a town located in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario. Situated in the Ottawa Valley, with a population of 18,160 (2021 Census), Petawawa is the most populous municipality in Renfrew County.
The earliest settlement in the Petawawa area was inhabited by the Algonquin First Nation. The name of Petawawa originates from a local Algonquin language word, biidaawewe, meaning "where one hears a noise like this". The original spelling of the name of the town was Petewawa and while there are no sources showing when it officially changed to Petawawa, Privy Council documents indicate the name Petawawa being formally used in correspondence as early as 27 March 1907.[1] Research of photographs after 1916 with the former spelling have not been found.[2] While the records of the official name change are non-existent, it has been speculated that the influx of immigration to the area changed the pronunciation of the word from its native roots to a more European pronunciation. Over time this may have changed the spelling of the Town's name into the present day format.
In the late 19th century, the area was surveyed and settled by emigres from Scotland, Ireland and Germany. The land was unsuitable for crops, but the heavily forested surroundings were useful for logging. Petawawa was incorporated as a township in 1865. The Canadian military acquired land in the area in 1905, which later became Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. During this period it was used as an internment camp for German POWs during World War I.[3] and World War II. Later, it became home to the Canadian Airborne Regiment before it was disbanded in 1995. Today, it is one of Canada's largest ground forces base with members deployed throughout the world on various missions supporting the United Nations in peacekeeping or the War on Terror.
In 1961, the urban area of Petawawa was incorporated as a separate village municipality. On July 1, 1997, the village and township amalgamated to form the Town of Petawawa.[4]
In addition to the primary urban core of Petawawa, the town also comprises the communities of Black Bay, Kramer Subdivision, Laurentian View, McGuire, Petawawa Point, Pine Meadows, Pine Ridge, Pinehurst Estates and Riverview.
Petawawa has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with long, cold, snowy winters and warm summers.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Petawawa had a population of living in of its total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of . With a land area of 164.7km2, it had a population density of in 2021.
Petawawa's primary employer is the Canadian Government. Most of Petawawa's residents work as civilian employees, or as members of the Canadian Forces at CFB Petawawa which is home to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and 4 Canadian Division Support Group.[4]
Another major employer is Chalk River Laboratories located nearby in Chalk River.[5]
Ontario Highway 17, Ontario Northlands bus service from Ottawa and the local commercial airport (Pembroke Airport) located in Petawawa, all provide access to this town.
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