thumb|Peacekeepers Park, Angus
Local government
Essa is governed by a Mayor, a Deputy Mayor and three Councillors, with one Councillor representing each of the three municipal wards. The Mayor of Essa represents the town on the Simcoe County Council. As of the 2022 election, the elected council members are:
- Mayor: Sandie MacDonald
- Deputy Mayor: Michael Smith
- Councillors:
- Ward 1: Pieter Kiezebrink
- Ward 2: Henry Sander
- Ward 3: Liana Maltby
Fire, EMS and police services
Township of Essa Fire Department is a fire services staffed by full-time chief, Doug Burgin and deputy chief, Gary McNamara. With 54 volunteer fire fighters at two stations (Angus and Thornton).
Ambulance service is covered by County of Simcoe Paramedic Service station in Angus.
Policing in Essa Township is covered by Ontario Provincial Police Nottawasaga Detachment.
Education
Essa Township has 4 elementary schools and a high school:
- Angus Morrison Elementary School (Angus)
- Pine River Elementary School (Angus)
- Baxter Central Public School (Baxter)
- Our Lady of Grace Catholic School (Angus)
- Nottawasaga Pines Secondary School (Angus)
These schools are managed by the Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.
There are also two French Schools accessible to Essa residents, managed by the French Public School Board, Conseil Scolaire Viamonde.
- Academie La Pinède (Borden)
- Ecole Secondaire Romeo Dallaire (Barrie)
There is also a private high school
- Convoy International Secondary Academy (Utopia)
This school is inspected by the Ministry of Education and approved to give credits for grade 9-12 courses. The school is a private day and boarding school for local and international students. Convoy offers in-class and online classes to meet each student’s needs.
Notable residents
Controversial politician Helena Guergis, the former Member of Parliament for Simcoe—Grey, resides in Angus. Her cousin David Guergis was Essa's mayor until 2010.
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