Rideau Lakes council dealt with a wide range of community matters during its June 22 committee of the whole meeting, from approving road closures for a major heritage festival to advancing a proposed tree giveaway program and granting a wedding noise exemption. Council also made administrative decisions affecting future closed meeting investigations.
Partial closure of Water Street in Portland for heritage festival
Committee approved the temporary closure of part of Water Street in Portland to accommodate the Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival celebrating the Rideau Canal’s 200th anniversary.
Water Street between St. Mary Street and Main Street will be closed from 5 p.m. Friday, July 17, until 5 p.m. Sunday, July 19. Parking restrictions for that section of the village will also be temporarily suspended during the event.
The closure will allow pedestrians to move safely between the Portland Harbour and Hanna Park while accommodating more than 50 antique and heritage boats arriving on large trailers for display.
The township said the boat launch will remain open, residents along the affected section of Water Street will continue to have access to their homes, and advance notice will be provided to residents and businesses. Vehicles left on Water Street will be asked to move but will not be towed.
The Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival runs July 18 and 19 and features heritage boats, voyageur canoe tours, boatbuilding demonstrations, historical exhibits and interpretive talks celebrating the canal’s bicentennial. Opening ceremonies will feature MPP Steve Clark and former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations Bob Rae.
The township is contributing $10,000 toward the festival, matched by $10,000 through the Experience Ontario program.
Sapling giveaway program gets unanimous support
Committee has unanimously endorsed a proposal to consider launching a free tree sapling giveaway program as part of the 2027 budget.
The initiative, brought forward by Works and Facilities Coordinator Ben Rothwell, would see the township purchase about 2,000 tree saplings for residents to plant on private property as a way to increase tree cover, support wildlife habitat and improve long-term environmental resilience.
If approved during 2027 budget deliberations, the first giveaway would likely take place on a Saturday in early May at the township office in Chantry. Residents would be limited to 10 saplings per household on a first come, first served basis. Staff estimate the program would cost between $3,700 and $3,900 before HST.
Coun. Paula Banks said the idea originated with a resident and thanked Rothwell for developing the proposal.
Coun. Linda Carr said she supported the initiative, calling it “wonderful.”
Rideau Lakes to rely on Ontario Ombudsman for closed meeting investigations
Committee has decided the Ontario Ombudsman will become Rideau Lakes Township’s closed meeting investigator beginning next year after the current municipal program ends.
The committee received a report on the conclusion of the Local Authority Services (LAS) Closed Meeting Investigator Program, which ends Dec. 31, 2026, and agreed not to appoint an alternative investigator.
The change follows LAS’s decision to discontinue the program after a review. The municipality has paid an annual fee of $250 plus HST to participate.
Chief Administrative Officer Shellee Fournier said staff identified no operational concerns with relying on the Ontario Ombudsman, which already serves as the default closed meeting investigator for many Ontario municipalities under the Municipal Act.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, the township will save the annual participation fee, with the Ombudsman providing the service at no cost.
Council approves wedding noise exemption until 1 a.m.
Council has approved a one-night exemption to its noise bylaw to allow music until 1 a.m. during an Aug. 22 wedding celebration on Big Rideau Lake.
Donna Wishart and Mike Lucas requested the exemption for their son Brendan’s wedding reception, which will be held under a tent at the family’s property. The couple said they plan to notify neighbours in advance and have the bride and groom personally visit nearby residents to advise them of the event.
The original request asked for permission until 1 a.m., or midnight if council felt that was more appropriate.
Coun. Paula Banks said it was refreshing to receive emails from residents asking permission before holding an event. Coun. Sue Dunfield successfully amended the motion to allow the exemption until 1 a.m.
Council carried the amended motion unanimously.
Keep connected to your community—Read the latest Rideau Lakes news.
