Aylmer, Ontario

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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 decended populations in the area. Aylmer continues to become more culturally diverse over time, as more immigrants culturally enrich Canada each year.

An RCAF training station was located here 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 in Aylmer, were accused of spanking them excessively. 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.

Robert Habkirk was elected the mayor of Aylmer on November 13, 2006. He will serve until 2010.

Despite many of the hardships that have befallen Aylmer in the past few years, there are a few positive things to note. The Smiths moved into Aylmer in January 2005 and opened their well known handmade soaps and candles business - Saltbox Pantry on Sydenham Street East. There is a thriving Farmers Market that is bustling and busy every Tuesday. Also, a brand new arena has been built 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 plays from time to time. And for history buffs, the Aylmer Museum houses an interesting collection of 19th century Victorian art pieces created from hair.