Your town, in plain words
A clear, checkable guide to Wawa's budget, taxes and council decisions. A small municipality in northern Ontario, with a mayor and four councillors. Every figure links back to the public record.
Follow Wawa in one tapWhere it goes
Questions worth asking
Each one is a question, not an accusation. Every one lists ordinary reasons it could be true, and the documents it comes from.
$1.0Mowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2024
At the end of 2024, $1.0M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 18% of everything billed. Only 3 of 23 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $1.4M.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$3,246,832accounts receivable at the end of 2025, up from $1,066,195 at the end of 2023
"Accounts receivable" is money other people owe the Municipality for bills already issued, such as grants promised but not yet paid, or fees. The statements show it rising each year. The statements we read have no note that breaks it down.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$780,000set aside at the end of 2025 against $1,401,006 of taxes owed, up from $630,000 a year earlier
At the end of 2025, taxes owed from earlier years were $890,345, and the Municipality had set aside $780,000 against the total of $1,401,006 owed. The total owed has fallen since 2023, but the amount set aside rose in 2025. The Municipality says unpaid taxes are one of its budget pressures.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$6.47 millionyearly funding gap in the plan's summary; a later section says $7.45 million
The 2025 Asset Management Plan says keeping the town's assets going needs about $8.9 million a year. Its summary says the town puts in about $2.43 million, a gap of $6.47 million. A later section says about $1.45 million, a gap of $7.45 million. Both are printed in the same plan.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$1,884,386owed for health and dental benefits at the end of 2025, with a reserve fund of $47,859
The Municipality promises extended health and life insurance benefits to its employees and retirees. An outside actuary (a specialist who estimates future costs) put the amount owed at $1,884,386 at the end of 2025. The Municipality says a reserve fund of $47,859 has been set up for this.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,179,351estimated landfill closure cost at the end of 2025; $62,205 in reserve
The Municipality owns a landfill. The law requires it to be closed and watched for years afterward. The statements put the cost at $1,179,351 at the end of 2025 and say the landfill is expected to close in 2038. The reserve set aside is $62,205, and the statements say the rest will come from future taxes.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$53,098carried as the Municipality's investment in the gas company; a further $100,000 is committed in total
The statements say Wawa owns 20% of 2729028 Ontario Inc., a company that will build natural gas storage and local gas lines for North Shore towns. The Municipality has put in $53,098 and has committed to contribute $100,000. The statements say the company's own 2025 numbers were not available when the audit report was signed.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$7,285,743government transfers and grants in 2025, against $5,489,687 of net taxation
In 2025 the Municipality received $7,285,743 in government transfers and grants, more than the $5,489,687 it raised in net property taxes. The Municipality itself lists "Strong reliance on power dam grant" among its pressures.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
2024 tax year · Wawa, Ontario
Enter your home's assessed value to see roughly what you pay in property tax each year, who gets it, and what Wawa's share pays for.
Ontario still uses property values from January 1, 2016 for tax, so your assessed value is probably well below what your home would sell for today.
It is on your property assessment notice from MPAC, and on your tax bill. We filled in the typical value in Wawa.
a year in property tax, at 2024 rates
Wawa council sets only its own share. the Province sets the school rate.
An estimate. It uses the residential tax rate, and splits Wawa's share by what each service cost in 2024 after its own fees and grants (for example, water bills pay for much of a water system). Real bills also depend on your property class, local charges and any rebates.
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Each number links to the public document it came from. Check it yourself.
We ask questions. Every one lists ordinary reasons a number could look odd.
Towns are only compared with places of a similar size and kind, from the same yearly reports.
Council meetings are open to the public, and councillors answer to you. How to reach Wawa's council · Council Books is free and paid for by readers: support this work.