News

Have Your Say: Health & Wellness in Greater Madawaska – Community Survey

The Township of Greater Madawaska is working with local partners to improve access to health and wellness services across our community.

In early December, we held in-person “Let’s Kick Off the Health & Wellness Hub Initiative” sessions in Griffith and Calabogie. Residents shared what’s working, what’s missing, and what “care closer to home” should look like. Those conversations gave us a strong list of needs and ideas.

This Phase 2 Community Survey asks all residents to:

• Tell us about your current access to health care
• Identify which services and programs you would actually use closer to home
• Help confirm and prioritize the top needs for our community over the next 3–5 years

Your responses will:

• Shape the Health & Wellness Hub Initiative and Framework 2.0
• Guide Township advocacy, including delegations to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Infrastructure
• Help partners decide which services and programs to bring into Greater Madawaska first

Share your perspective by completing the Health & Wellness in Greater Madawaska Community Survey

The Survey closes January 2, 2026.

Thank you, Greater Madawaska! 

Over the past two weeks, residents joined us in Griffith and Calabogie to help kick off the Health & Wellness Hub Initiative.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out, shared ideas, and stayed to talk — your input is shaping where we go next. Thank you as well to our community partners who presented and the volunteers who helped host the sessions. Together, we’re building healthier, better-connected communities across Greater Madawaska.

Here’s what we heard across both sessions:

Care closer to home

• Strong interest in more local access to bloodwork/labs, rehab/physio, diagnostics, and primary care.

Better information about what already exists

• Many services are already here (Home Support, GM Seniors Housing, SALC, community paramedics, VTAC and more), but residents don’t always know how to find or use them.

Transportation & distance are real barriers

• Getting to appointments, programs and activities is hard without reliable transportation.

Programs for all ages

• Residents value seniors programming and want more for children, youth and families — from drop-in spaces and camps to wellness education.

Aging in community & housing

• People want options that help them stay in the Township as needs change, including supports at home and future housing solutions connected to local services.

What’s next?

• Township staff are now pulling all of this together into short-term actions (things we can start on in 2025–2027) and longer-term priorities for hubs and services in Calabogie, Griffith and across the Township.
• We’ll be launching an online survey so residents who couldn’t attend can review these themes, tell us what matters most to them, and help us prioritize next steps.

Watch for the survey link next week on the Township website and Facebook page.

To follow this initiative and read more about the background and next steps, visit the Health & Wellness Hub Initiative page on our website.

Job Opportunity - Machine Operator - Calabogie Yard

Reporting to the Public Works Supervisor, the machine operator has the responsibility for the functions related to construction, maintenance, repair and emergency services related to Township infrastructure with a focus on public safety and convenience.

The successful candidate should possess the following and expect the following:

• Equivalent to High School with job related courses in the operation, maintenance, and construction of roads.
• One to 2 years’ experience in the maintenance of municipal public works infrastructure would be considered an asset.
• Operation of equipment, including trucks, backhoe, loader, and other miscellaneous equipment.
• DZ license mandatory, AZ license is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated excellent safety record.
• Ability to meet physical demands of the position.
• 40 hours a week, schedule:
  • October to April, Monday to Friday, 6:00 am – 2:30 pm
  • May to September, Monday to Thursday, 6:00 am – 4:30 pm
• Availability to respond to call-outs during adverse weather conditions, including events occurring evenings, weekends, and holidays.

The salary range for this position is $28.47 to $33.50 based on a 40-hour work week, includes a comprehensive benefit plan, and vacation accrual based on years of experience.

Please submit your resume quoting “Machine Operator” by 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2025 by:

In person to: 
Jessica Schroeder, Finance and Human Resources Administrator
Corporation of the Township of Greater Madawaska
19 Parnell St., P.O. Box 180
Calabogie, ON K0J 1H0

By email to:
hr@greatermadawaska.com (in MS Word or PDF format)

Thank you for your interest, however, only applicants considered for an interview will be contacted. Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the selection process. Applicants must make their needs known in advance.

Information collected will be handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Jingle Jam Kids Morning 🎄

Registration is required to secure your spot. Use the ONLINE REGISTRATION form to register and pay.

Date & Time:

📅 Monday, December 22, 2025

⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location:

🏠 Calabogie Community Hall, 574 Mill Street, Calabogie, ON K0J 1H0

Details:

We’re starting Christmas break with a festive morning packed with fun for kids ages 4–12!

🎨 Holiday Crafts – Create your own Christmas masterpieces

🍪 Cookie Decorating – Frost, sprinkle, and taste your sweet creations

🎲 Games & Activities – Laugh, play, and make new friends

🎬 Christmas Movie – Cozy up for holiday magic on the big screen

🍕 Pizza Lunch & 🍿 Popcorn Snacks – Fuel up for more fun

Cost: 💵 $5 per child (ages 4–12)

PLEASE NOTE

There will be no Pickleball December 11, 2025.

Last Pickleball night for 2025 is December 18, 2025.

Pickleball will resume January 6, 2026.

Come hear from local health partners, learn about advocacy for a new Health & Wellness Hub, and share what services and supports you’d like to see in our community.

Who You’ll Hear From:

• County of Renfrew Paramedic Service
• GM 55+ Seniors Active Living Centre
• Calabogie & Area Home Support
• Greater Madawaska Seniors Housing Corporation

All welcome - Light refreshments - Bring a friend, tell a neighbour — and help shape what comes next for our community!

December 3, 2025, 6pm-8pm at the Griffith & Matawatchan Rec Centre, 25991B Hwy 41, Griffith

December 10, 2025, 6pm-8pm at the Calabogie Community Hall, 574 Mill St, Calabogie

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Canada Day Committee.

Join our team, get involved, make new friends and enjoy Canada Day to the fullest!

Applications are available on the website or at the Township Office.

The deadline to submit your application is December 8, 2025 at 4:00pm.

We’re excited to announce a special draw for everyone who registers for our eServices Portal!

Sign up today for the Township’s eServices Portal and automatically be entered for a chance to win a $100 Gift Card!

Already registered? Don’t worry — you’re already entered in the draw!

The eServices Portal makes it easy to:

• View and pay your bills online
• Access your account information anytime
• Go paperless and save time

Deadline to enter the Draw: December 31, 2025

The lucky winner will be announced on January 12, 2026!

Visit https://eservices.greatermadawaska.com/ for to register today for your chance to win.

NOTICE of SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING and BUDGET DELIBERATIONS

PURPOSE: 2026 Budget

The 2026 Draft Budget Presentation will take place at the Regular Council Meeting on November 20, 2025 at 3:00pm in the Council Chambers.

The 2026 Budget Deliberation will take place at a Special Council Meeting on December 11, 2025 at 1:30pm in the Council Chambers.

Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Township of Greater Madawaska intends to consider passing a by-law to adopt the 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets in accordance with section 290 of the Municipal Act, 2001, at the Regular Council Meeting on December 18, 2025 at 3:00pm in Council Chambers.

The Agendas will be made available on the Township's Meeting and Information Portal.

The Meetings will be available on the Township's YouTube channel. Every attempt is made for meetings to be Livestreamed, however in the event that Livestream is not available the meeting recording will be made available on the YouTube channel within a week.