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Aylmer, Ontario is a town in Elgin
County in southern Ontario, Canada, just north of Lake Erie, on
Catfish Creek. It is 20 km south of Highway 401. The population of
Aylmer is 7,018 (2001 census). The mayor is Robert Habkirk.
It was named after Matthew Whitworth-Aylmer, 5th Baron Aylmer, who was
Governor General of British North America from 1830 to 1835. It is
sometimes referred to as Aylmer West, to distinguish it from Aylmer
East, Aylmer, Quebec.
In the mid-1970s, many German-speaking Mennonites began migrating to
the Aylmer area from Mexico. The Mennonites were Canadian citizens
that had moved to Mexico from Manitoba and Saskatchewan during the
first half of the 20th century. They had migrated to Mexico to avoid
the Canadian draft during the World Wars. As many Mennonites are
pacifists by belief, many chose to migrate to prevent being drafted
and forced to violate their beliefs. By the early 21st century, there
was a large Mennonite population in Aylmer and the surrounding area.
In addition to the Mennonite population, there are sizable Dutch,
German, and British descended populations in the area. Aylmer
continues to become more culturally diverse over time, as more
immigrants culturally enrich Canada each year.
Just east of Aylmer is a sizable Old Order Amish community. This
community was founded by families moving from Ohio in 1953. They were
uncomfortable with a nuclear facility being constructed in close
proximity to their community in Ohio. Since that time, the community
has grown to encompass three "districts" the surrounding area. A
number of members from this community participate in the weekly Aylmer
Sales Arena and sell fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, and small animals,
such as rabbits and chickens. This particular Amish community eschews
the use of automobiles, electricity, and most modern conveniences. A
well-known Amish publishing house, Pathway Publishing Company, is
based in this community.
A Royal Canadian Air Force Training Facility, RCAF Station Aylmer was
located just north of Aylmer from 1941 to 1961. This station is now
home to the Ontario Police College.
In 2001, Aylmer gained national attention after child welfare seized 7
children from their home against their will after their parents,
members of the Church of God Restoration in Aylmer, were accused of
child abuse. These allegations arose when at least one child was
discovered to be suffering from untreated burns apparently received
during an act of corporal punishment. The children were returned to
their home in the same month with an agreement to not use physical
punishment. This restriction was lifted later.
The tobacco growing industry played a large part in the economic
development of Aylmer. Imperial Tobacco Canada built a plant in Aylmer
in the mid 1940s. At its peak, Imperial employed more than 800
full-time and seasonal workers. After declining tobacco sales in
Canada, Imperial began downizing in the 1990s. In October 2005,
Imperial Tobacco announced that the Aylmer and Guelph, Ontario plants
would close. Aylmer's plant is expected to close in early 2007,
putting the remaining 75 employees out of work. The current average
wage at Imperial Tobacco in Aylmer is $45 per hour. The town council
is putting a plan in place to attract automotive-related industries to
its new business park or Imperial's facilities after it closes, but is
widely viewed in the business community as acting too slowly and has
been unwilling to finance a permanent economic development officer to
promote Aylmer as an attractive municipality for manufacturing.
Former mayor (1994-2003) Robert Habkirk was again elected the mayor of
Aylmer on November 13, 2006 to a four-year term.
Despite many of the hardships that have befallen Aylmer in the past
few years, there are a few positive things to note. Some locally-owned
businesses that have thrived in recent years, include: The Aylmer
Sales Arena Farmers Market (every Tuesday), Roszell's Furnishings,
Durkee's Clothing, Saltbox Pantry, Advanced Stainless, NRG, Hiemstra's
Clothing and Furniture, and Goodwill's Auto Sales. In 2004, a brand
new arena, the East Elgin Community Complex, was completed to house
the many enthusiastic hockey leagues in town. The Old Town Hall which
houses the library, also has a beautifully restored theatre which
houses occasional plays. For history buffs, the Aylmer Museum houses
an interesting collection of 19th century Victorian art pieces created
from hair.
Aylmer website |
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Mortgage specialist providing the most
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Thomas, Port Stanley, Aylmer & Elgin County, Ontario Canada. |
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