Town of Hearst

About Town of Hearst

The Town of Hearst is located in the Cochrane District of Northern Ontario and operates as a single-tier municipality. It was originally established in the early 20th century around a national railway line and was later renamed to honor Sir William Howard Hearst, a former Ontario minister and premier. Hearst is notable for its strong Franco-Ontario identity: over 90 % of its population speaks French as their first language, making it one of the most francophone communities in Ontario. Economically, the town relies heavily on the forestry sector (logging and wood processing) and has been prioritizing the growth of nature-based tourism and regional services. As a regional service hub, Hearst provides governance, public services and infrastructure to support both its residents and the surrounding rural areas.