The Municipality of West Nipissing’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Jay Barbeau, has announced plans to retire at the end of 2025. Barbeau, who has dedicated 25 years of service to the community, made the announcement during the February 4th Council meeting. His retirement is scheduled for December 19, 2025, allowing both Council and staff ample time to plan for a smooth transition.
With a career spanning more than four decades, Barbeau has held roles such as Director of Market Development at Cambrian College and Director of Community and Physical Development for the Town of Rayside-Balfour. At the age of 36, he was appointed CAO for the Municipality of West Nipissing, a position he has held with dedication ever since.
“The contributions of Mr. Barbeau to this organization cannot be underestimated. He has been here almost since amalgamation and has guided the community through that transition, with many successes along the way,” shared Mayor Thorne Rochon. “I want to acknowledge that hiring a new CAO will be a significant process, and I want to thank Mr. Barbeau for giving us such a long runway to undertake this important task. We look forward to working with him in the coming year.”
As CAO, Barbeau has been pivotal in steering major projects, fostering economic development initiatives, and maintaining fiscal responsibility while effectively managing municipal operations. Throughout his tenure, he has led the Municipality through periods of growth and change that have positively impacted the community.
“It’s been a true privilege and incredibly fulfilling to serve this community,” Barbeau shared. “It’s been rewarding to see West Nipissing consistently recognized by financial publications as one of Northern Ontario’s best communities for affordability and quality of life. These accolades reflect the dedication and hard work of our staff and leadership. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited to see how West Nipissing will continue to thrive in the future.”
While Barbeau’s retirement will mark the end of an era for West Nipissing, Council remains committed to ensuring a stable transition. Collaborative efforts will be made in the coming months to identify a successor who will continue to serve the best interests of the Municipality. Further details regarding the recruitment process for a new CAO will be announced in the near future.