Scugog is a township in the Regional Municipality of Durham, south-central Ontario, Canada. It is northeast of Toronto and just north of Oshawa. The anchor and largest population base of the township is Port Perry. The township has a population of roughly 22,500. A smaller Scugog Township was also a historic municipality and geographic township prior to the amalgamation that formed the current municipality.

History

The original township of Scugog used to be divided between Reach and Cartwright townships in Ontario County and Northumberland and Durham County, respectively. When Lake Scugog was created by a dam in Lindsay in 1834, flooding created an island known as Scugog Island. The island was separated from Reach and Cartwright to form Scugog Township in 1856. In 1872 George Currie built a grain elevator which is currently Canada's oldest grain elevator. The new township was part of Ontario County. According to Alan Rayburn's Place Names of Ontario, the name Scugog is derived from the Mississauga word sigaog, which means "waves leap over a canoe." This refers to the creation of Lake Scugog. Other sources indicate that it is an Ojibwe word meaning swampy or marshy land. The existence of two other lakes by the same name (neither of which is artificial) lends support to the latter etymology. The current township of Scugog was created in 1974 through the amalgamation of the original townships of Scugog, Reach and Cartwright and the town of Port Perry.

Local government

The Township of Scugog is governed by a mayor, and five councillors elected on the basis of one per ward. Ward 1 includes Greenbank, Seagrave, Epsom, Utica and Manchester. Ward 2 is Port Perry (South of 7A) and Prince Albert. Ward 3 is Scugog Island. Ward 4 is Blackstock, Nestleton Station, Nestleton and Caesarea. Ward 5 is Port Perry (north of 7A). The council holds regular meetings, open to the public at the town hall in Port Perry. Mayor: Wilma Wotten Councillors:

Current municipality

Port Perry is the chief commercial and administrative centre of the municipality. The township also includes the communities of:

Mississaugas of Scugog First Nations

Reserves # 34 consists of two tracts, east of Mississauga's Trail between Hood Drive and Pogue Road as well as west of Mississauga's Trail from Pogue Road to Seven Mile Island Road/Chandler Drive. Great Blue Heron Casino is located on the reserve. A Health and Resource Centre and Reserves Administration Office are located on Island Road.

Schools

Public Schools: High Schools: Catholic Schools:

Economy

The largest private-sector employer in the area is the Great Blue Heron Casino, located on the Scugog First Nation on Scugog Island. Schneider Meats also has a facility in the Township. The Township is also a popular tourist destination due to the casino and recreational opportunities from Lake Scugog. Many residents also commute to other Durham Region communities and further afield by road.

Attractions

Transportation

Roads and highways

Main roads in Scugog are:

Airports

There are two airports in Scugog, both are public airfields used by small propeller aircraft: Lakeridge Health Port Perry site has a helipad for air ambulance use only.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Scugog had a population of 21,581 living in 8,243 of its 8,734 total private dwellings, a change of NaN% from its 2016 population of 21,617. With a land area of 474.38 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

In film