Rideau Lakes approves funding match for Rideau Canal bicentennial festival

Rideau Canal 200th anniversary plans include live demonstrations, storytelling and on-water activities

Rideau Lakes council has approved a $10,000 municipal contribution toward a planned 2026 heritage festival marking the 200th anniversary of construction on the Rideau Canal.

During the May 11 committee of the whole meeting, council unanimously supported a recommendation authorizing the township to enter into a funding agreement under the Province’s Experience Ontario Capacity Building Fund for the event titled A Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival 1826-2026.

According to staff, the free multi-day event is intended to celebrate the beginning of Rideau Canal construction in 1826 through heritage programming, live demonstrations, water-based activities and community storytelling tied to the canal’s national and UNESCO World Heritage Site significance.

The township was awarded $10,000 in provincial funding through the program, but must provide matching municipal funding to receive the grant.

The report noted the township’s share was not included in the approved 2026 budget and would instead come from 2026 year-end results.

Coun. Marcia Maxwell questioned the timing of the additional spending.

“We’ve gotten the grant. Now we’re on the hook for $10,000 that we don’t have in the budget, and we’re all concerned about where money’s going,” she said.

Maxwell also asked whether the event planning timeline would be achievable given the approaching summer tourism season.

Economic Development and Cultural Heritage Coordinator Marie White said they have a plan, including scheduling and promotion, which was submitted as part of the grant application process.

“The full plan was required within the grant application,” White said. “So the dates, the schedule, and the promotion and how it will be executed, it was part of the grant application. So we do have a plan in place.”

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