News

Total Solar Eclipse – April 8, 2024

On April 8, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) region will be in the path of a solar eclipse. The City of Cornwall, Akwesasne and parts of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry will be in the path of totality and will be able to see the moon completely cover the sun. The rest of the EOHU area, including Russell Township will experience a partial eclipse.

Looking directly at the sun during an eclipse without proper eye protection can cause serious eye damage, such as...

Pierre Leroux Resigns as Russell Township Mayor

Embrun, Ontario, April 2, 2024 — Mayor Pierre Leroux has officially submitted his resignation from his position at Russell Township, effective April 19, 2024. He will be stepping down to undertake the role of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) with The Nation Municipality.

Leroux served as a dedicated member of the Russell Township Council since December 2010 where he served as Councillor for 4 years, followed by over 9 years as Mayor. His dedication and commitment to the betterment of Russell...

Summer Program and Activity Guide

Our Summer Program and Activity Guide is now available. We are offering summer camps in Russell and Embrun as well as aquatic programs! View the full guide at www.russell.ca/programs and look for a paper copy coming to your mailbox in the coming week!

Registration dates:

Summer Camps

• Residents – Starting April 10, 2024, at 9:00a.m.
• Non-Residents – Starting April 15, 2024, at 9:00a.m.

Aquatic Programs

• Residents – Starting May 1, 2024, at 9:00a.m.
• Non-Residents – Starting May 6, 2024, at 9:00a.m.
• In-person...

Fire Ban In Effect - April 1, 2024

Due to the dry weather conditions and no significant amount of precipitation in the immediate future, the Russell Township Fire Services has implemented a total fire ban in the Township of Russell as of TODAY, Monday April 1, 2024 at 6:00am.

All open-air fires are prohibited until further notice. This includes backyard campfires and even those property owners who have a valid fire permits. Only certified barbecues, natural gas and propane outdoor fireplaces with a gas shut off are allowed.

International Transgender Day of Visibility

March 31st is International Transgender Day of Visibility. Today we recognize and celebrate our friends, family, colleagues, and neighbours for the unique diversity they bring to our community. It is also a day to recognize the struggles, sacrifices, and achievements of the Trans communities worldwide.

With the help of our Community, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the Township of Russell continues to foster a healthy and safe community where all feel welcome, comfortable, valued,...

March Positive Tickets for Youth

We are rewarding youth for good deeds in our community!

Our Public Safety and Enforcement officers are issuing "positive tickets" to local youth for helpful actions, behaviour, and acts of kindness. Each “ticket” includes a gift card to a local business as a reward for being a great role model.

During the month of March, we have rewarded two youth with Positive Tickets for their initiatives within their community.

• Jacob, 11-year-old, never misses an opportunity to help people. Whether it be...

Council Meeting Highlights – March 25, 2024

Here are some highlights from the February 25, 2024, Council meeting. For more information on these and on the other topics discussed at this or other meetings, meeting schedule, agenda and minutes are available on our website.

The video of the full meeting can be viewed here.

Paving Contract – Report IS-PW-2024-04 (item 11 c) Council awarded the contract to Blair Asphalt for the approved roads (list of approved paving). Due to good prices 1.5 km of paving has been added to the list to maximize the...

Purple Day for Epilepsy

Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On March 26th annually, people in countries around the world are invited to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness. Last year, people in more than 85 countries on all continents participated in Purple Day! Canada is the only country in the world who officially recognizes March 26th as Purple Day through the Purple Day Act implemented on June 28, 2012.

Show your...

School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day 2024

We are celebrating School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

Please join us in thanking Carolyn, Ruth, Valerie, Karen, Jean and Maryke, for the work they do – rain or shine – to keep our children safe on their way to and from school every day.

Crossing guards play an important role in keeping our communities safe, but the work they do is equally as rewarding to them. Get to know some of our crossing guards and say hi next time you see them!

As a driver, you can help keep...

Calling all photographers

We are looking for scenic photos of our area to replace the panels at the end of the bowling lanes. This will give our bowling alley a much-needed facelift while focusing on the beauty of our region and the work of local photographers!

For more information or to submit photos, visit our website at www.russell.ca/PhotoBowling.

2024 Interim Tax Bill – Paperless Notification Issue – Gmail accounts

We encountered an issue with the delivery of the 2024 interim tax bills via email. Unfortunately, our emails were blocked by the Google platform, resulting in most residents with Gmail accounts not receiving them.

Consequently, we will need to resubmit these invoices. If you have already received your interim invoice, please disregard this second submission. However, for those affected by this issue, rest assured that each account will be individually reviewed to ensure that all citizens have...

Council Meeting Highlights – March 11, 2024

Here are some highlights from the March 11, 2024, Council meeting. For more information on these and on the other topics discussed at this or other meetings, meeting schedule, agenda and minutes are available on our website.

The video of the full meeting can be viewed here.

Citizen Recognition Award (Item 8) Council had the pleasure of presenting a Community Builder Award to Connie Johnston last night for her active participation in our community. For more information see full article. Affordable and...

Notice of Study Commencement – Environmental Assessment Study

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study
Road Network Expansion, Vars Industrial Park, Township of Russell

Public Notice – March 13, 2024

This notice is to inform stakeholders and interested parties that the Corporation of the Township of Russell is initiating a Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) to review and study the proposed expansion of the road network within the Vars Industrial Park. The road network expansion intends to provide access to subject lands, optimize new...

Notice of Study Commencement – Transportation Master Plan Update

Public Notice – March 13, 2024

The Township of Russell has initiated the update of the Transportation Master Plan. This will be an important document, guiding the strategic directions of the transportation network as the Township accommodates mobility for future growth while ensuring a sustainable, accessible, and highly liveable community.

The study will examine deficiencies and develop recommendations for the transportation network, including pedestrian, cycling and vehicular modes....

Connie Johnston Receives Community Builder Award

Council had the pleasure of presenting a Community Builder Award to Connie Johnston last night for her active participation in our community. Every few weeks, Connie leads a team to raise funds for local citizens, groups and causes serving the community’s greatest needs with Trivia Nights. These fundraisers are so popular and needed that she has them booked into 2025 due to the high demand. She has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars every year without remuneration of any form, purely...

Dog Tag Renewal

Are you a dog owner? It is time to renew dog tags for your furry friends.

Property owners

If you are a homeowner, no action is needed to renew your dog tag. You will continue using the dog tag you have and a renewal fee of $20 will be added to your property tax bill in August. The renewal fee will continue to be added to property tax bill each August until the Township is notified that you no longer own your dog. No late fee applies.

Tenants and non-property owners

If you are a renter or...

International Women’s Day

March 8 is International Women's Day. It’s a global day to recognize and celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It’s also a time to raise awareness of the progress made towards achieving gender equality and the work remaining to be done.

Women’s History in Russell Township: Florence Shepherd

Russell Horticultural Society first welcomed a female president, Florence Shepherd, in 1927. She was president until 1929 and is the first recorded female...

Local March Break Activities

Find local activities during March break within the Township of Russell!

To view a visual calendar with all activities download here.

Bowling Hall

8 Blais Street, Embrun. Fees apply, see www.russell.ca/bowling for more details.

• Monday March 11 from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.
• Friday March 15 from 1:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. (will be closed Friday evening)

Public Turf at Sports Dome

150 Sportsplex Road, Embrun

Public turf time ($5 per person or $10 per family)

• Monday March 11 from 4:00p.m. to 5:00p.m.
• Wednesday March 13...

Strategic Discussion on Public Engagement Policy

A strategic discussion between Council and administration is scheduled for the March 25, 2024 Council meeting. This discussion aims to provide Council with a valuable opportunity to express their opinions, exchange ideas, and influence the future directions of our municipality regarding public engagement policy.

We invite all residents who have ideas or suggestions regarding this policy to communicate with your Councillors before the meeting. It is the perfect time for you to make your voice...

Flags at Half-Mast for Brian Mulroney

The flags at all Municipal buildings in the Township of Russell will be lowered to half-mast as per the Half-Masting and Raising of Flags Policy, in honour of The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney P.C. C.C. G.O.Q., 18th Prime Minister of Canada, who passed away on February 29, 2024.

Mr. Mulroney served the citizens of Canada as Prime Minister from 1984-1993.

Flags will remain at half-mast until sunset on the day of the funeral (date to be determined).