News and Public Notices

New Service: Registration of Death and Burial Permit

The Clerk Department now offers the Registration of Death and Issuance of Burial Permits.
This new service assists families, informants, and funeral professionals in fulfilling the legal requirements that follow a death in Ontario.

The fee for a Registration of Death and Burial Permit is $35 for funeral homes within the Township of Russell and $40 for those located outside the Township.

Our team is committed to providing clear guidance and respectful assistance during this difficult time.

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Paving Begins on Notre-Dame Street

Paving will begin tomorrow on Notre-Dame Street in Embrun, between Jeanne d’Arc Street and Lapalme Street, and will continue over the next week until completed. This work is one of the final steps for this section of the road — Phase 1 of this multi-year storm sewers replacement project. We appreciate your patience as paving takes place.

Alternating lanes will remain in effect. Please expect delays and plan an alternate route if possible. All businesses in the area remain open and ready to serve...

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Local Government Week

October 19 to 25, 2025, is Local Government Week in Ontario. This week happens every year in October to help people, especially youth, learn about the important role local governments play. The goal is to encourage civic participation and show the services, opportunities, and careers available in local government.

Municipalities are the level of government closest to residents. They provide many of the everyday services we use, like roads, water, and waste collection...

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Waste Reduction Week

Waste Reduction Week takes place October 20-26, 2025. It is part of Circular Economy Month — “A Stronger Community for All”

What is Circular Economy Month?

Every October, Canada hosts Circular Economy Month, a national awareness campaign by the Circular Innovation Council. It aims to educate and empower people, organizations, and governments to shift from the traditional “take-make-dispose” model toward a more sustainable, circular approach.

Waste Reduction Week is a key part of that campaign —...

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Update on Water and Sewer Bills

While Canada Post has resumed services during their rotating strike, they cannot guarantee the delivery in time for this round of bills.

If you normally receive your bill by mail, your bill for July-September 2025 (payment due by October 27, 2025) is now ready for pickup at Town Hall (717 Notre-Dame Street, Embrun). Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

IMPORTANT: We will be keeping the paper bills at Townhall until October 31, 2025. Uncollected bills will be mailed out on...

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Council Meeting Highlights – October 14, 2025

Here are some highlights from the October 14, 2025, Council meeting. For more information on these and on the other topics discussed at this or other meetings, the meeting schedule, agendas and minutes are available on our website.

 The video of the full meeting can be viewed here. 

Council has received the first draft of the 2026 budget, which reflects an initial projected tax increase of 8.40%. For the average household, this would represent approximately...

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Dress Purple Day - October 16, 2025

On Thursday, October 16, 2025, we join Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario for Dress Purple Day — a day to recognize the many ways our community supports children, youth, and families.

Every child has the right to safety and well-being. This work can’t be done by one organization alone — it takes neighbours, families, schools, service providers, and community partners standing together.

Why It Matters

Dress Purple Day:

• Reminds children and youth of their right to be safe at home, school, online...

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Notice: Public Meeting on Development Charges

NOTICE OF STATUTORY PUBLIC MEETING

REGARDING DEVELOPMENT CHARGES

Take notice that Russell Township Council is holding a public meeting on November 10th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.to discuss proposed Development Charge (DC) rates as well as the policies that will be applied throughout the Township. Council will be considering the approval of updated development charges by-laws on a date following this public meeting.

Development charges are fees on new developments that fund growth-related costs to a...

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Register for the Christmas Parades

In just a month, Santa Claus is coming to the Township of Russell! Our Fire Services are excited to host the annual Christmas parades.

Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

The parade will take place on Notre-Dame Street, from the Townhall to the Community Centre at 8, Blais St.

A collect of food or monetary donations will be made along the way in support of the Community Food Bank.

Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

The parade will take place on Concession St...

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Latin American Heritage Month - October 2025

Celebrating Latin American Heritage Month: The Ramirez Lalonde Family

October marks Latin American Heritage Month in Canada — a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions, culture, and traditions of Latin American Canadians. For the Ramirez Lalonde family of Russell, this month holds a very special meaning.

“Our little mixed family merges Mexican and Canadian cultures,” shares the family. “We are very proud of the rich and vibrant culture that Mexico brings to our family.”

Paco Ramirez,...

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Development Charges Background Study

The Development Charges (DC) Background Study is now available for review on the Township’s website at www.russell.ca/DC.

The Township of Russell is currently reviewing its Development Charges (DC) through a comprehensive background study. Development Charges are fees collected from developers to help pay for the new infrastructure and municipal services required to support growth — such as roads, parks, water and wastewater systems, fire services, and recreation facilities. This ensures that the...

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Important Notice on Water and Sewer Bills

Please note that a billing error occurred on the January to March 2025 water and sewer bills. The correct consumption rate is $3.41 instead of $3.16. An adjustment will appear on your July to September 2025 bill.

If you normally receive your bill by mail, your envelope is now ready for pickup at Town Hall (717 Notre-Dame Street, Embrun). Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed Monday October 13, 2025).

It is the responsibility of...

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Recreation Complex Project Update

Construction of the recreation complex is moving along well. The month of September brought significant progress, with major milestones reached both inside and outside the facility.

• The aquatics hall and community hall structures are now finished.
• Masonry crews wrapped up the north side of the resurfacer area and began work on the pool area’s south and west walls. They are also building interior block walls for service rooms at the back of the building.
• Siding crews continue moving around the...

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Notice of Public Meetings

Due to the Canada Post strike, the following notices, which would normally have been mailed to residents near the affected properties, are instead being shared publicly.

Proposed Amendments to the Zoning By-law

• 4513 Grégoire Road, Russell
• Part of Lots 22 & 23, Concession 4, Parts 1–9, Vars

Application for a Minor Variance

• Concession 7, Part Lot 7 (1600 St-Jacques Road), Embrun

If you require support to review the content in this document, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator.

Public meetings...

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Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On September 30, Canadians come together to honour Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities, while reflecting on the lasting impacts of these institutions. Listening, learning, and taking action remain essential steps toward reconciliation.

This year, for the first time, the Township will raise the Survivor’s Flag on September 24, 2025, until October 1, 2025. The flag is a powerful symbol of remembrance and commitment to reconciliation. Learn more here: The Survivors’...

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Council Meeting Highlights – September 22, 2025

Here are some highlights from the September 22, 2025, Council meeting. For more information on these and on the other topics discussed at this or other meetings, the meeting schedule, agendas and minutes are available on our website.

The video of the full meeting can be viewed here.

Citizen Recognition Awards were awarded to Shauna Wanamaker and a group of 8 volunteers for Russell Trivia (Larissa de Quimper, Stephanie Knight, Donna Lafrance, Melanie Burns, Billy...

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Eight Residents Receive Community Awards

At last night’s Council meeting, eight exceptional individuals were recognized with Community Awards for their outstanding contributions to Russell Township.

Shauna Wanamaker received the Community Award for Environment. Inspired by the decline of pollinator populations, particularly the monarch butterfly, Shauna transformed her yard into a pollinator haven after completing the David Suzuki ButterflyWay training program in 2021. She went on...

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Ontario Investing More Than $12 Million to Build and Upgrade Community Centres in Eastern Ontario

NEWS RELEASE

September 22, 2025
Premier's Office
Sports

View the full Press Conference Video

RUSSELL — The Ontario government is investing $12.2 million to protect jobs and build community infrastructure in eastern Ontario. This investment will support the construction of the new Russell Township Recreation Complex and the revitalization of three other community centres in the region. The projects are part of...

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A Successful Women’s March: Solidarity and Mobilization at the Heart of Embrun

The Women’s March, organized by Centre Novas – CALACS Francophone de Prescott-Russell in partnership with the Township of Russell, brought together over 150 participants last night in a spirit of solidarity, respect, and mobilization.

The event began with official speeches, followed by a symbolic march through the streets of Embrun. Together, participants affirmed their commitment to ending violence against women and promoting equality.

In response to the announcement that the Ministry of Women...

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Franco-Ontarian Day – September 25

*To read this article in French, click here.   

*Please note: because of the rain, this event will take place on September 26th*

This year is particularly special: we are marking the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag, first raised in 1975 at Laurentian University in Sudbury. Today, this flag is a powerful symbol of the Franco-Ontarian history, pride and future.

In Embrun, the Francophonie Monument Committee and more than 1,000 students from the three French-language schools in Embrun will...

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