Fort Frances
Fort Frances is a town in, and the seat of, Rainy River District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. The population as of the 2021 census was 7,466 Fort Frances is a popular fishing destination. It hosts the annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
Fort Frances | |
|---|---|
Town (single-tier) | |
| Town of Fort Frances | |
|
Coat of arms | |
| Nickname: Fort | |
| Motto(s): Industry and perseverance | |
Fort Frances | |
| Coordinates: 48°37′N 93°24′W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| District | Rainy River |
| Incorporated | 1903 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Andrew Hallikas |
| • Federal riding | Thunder Bay—Rainy River |
| • Prov. riding | Kenora—Rainy River |
| Area | |
| • Land | 25.51 km2 (9.85 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 7,466 |
| • Density | 292.2/km2 (757/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Fort Francians |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Forward sortation area | P9A |
| Area code | 807 |
| Website | www.fortfrances.ca |
Located on the international border with the United States where Rainy Lake narrows to become Rainy River, it is connected to International Falls, Minnesota by the Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge. The town is the fourth-largest community in Northwestern Ontario after Thunder Bay, Kenora and Dryden. The Fort Frances Paper Mill was formerly the main employer and industry in the town until its closure in January 2014. New Gold, a Canadian mining company, acquired mineral rights to the area in 2013. The Rainy River mine commenced processing ore on September 14, 2017 and completed its first gold pour on October 5, 2017.