COVID-19 Information

Due to Covid-19 we are not meeting people in person for consultation or permit application submissions. You can apply for your permit via email to inspections@russell.ca or you can drop off all required documents in an envelope labelled for the Building Department in the drop box at the front of our office at 717 Notre Dame St, Embrun. Appointments will be made for permit pick up at our office when your permit is ready.

Council Meetings

Changes to the Township’s Procedural By-Law now allows Council meetings to be conducted electronically during emergency situations. All Township of Russell Council Meetings going forward are by electronic participation only until further notice. This is to comply with the State of Emergency declared by the province of Ontario, to prevent public gatherings, and reinforce social distancing regulations.

Please see our Council & Meetings page for Council date, times, and links to live broadcasts.

Wondering how you can attend a Council Meeting if it isn’t being held at Town Hall during due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

A link to the live event will be published before the meeting on our Council & Meetings page here. Members of the public will be able to provide comments/questions during question period by providing their name, address, and question using the chat box on the live stream. Watch this quick instructional video to understand how the live event works and how to participate during question period.

Should you have any technical difficulties to access or participate in the live council meeting, please email debbieguillemette@russell.ca or call 613-883-1579 immediately.

Committees

As of May 2020, all Township Committee Meetings will be by electronic participation only until further notice. This is to comply with the State of Emergency declared by the province of Ontario due to COVID-19, to prevent public gatherings, and reinforce social distancing regulations. A link to the live event will be posted on our Committees page prior to the committee meeting.

All committees scheduled in March and April are cancelled, with the exception of the Planning Committee on March 30th.

We have created a list of resources that are exceptionally important to local businesses during the challenging times of COVID-19. Contact our Economic Development Department for more information.

Waste Collection and Bag Limit

There are no changes to garbage or recycling collection due to COVID-19.

Remember to register for our NEW email list for email notifications.

Special Waste Collections

Garbage Tags

Residents who may need to put out additional bags may contact one of our retailers for extra garbage stickers: Pronto R J's Convenience store, Russell Pharmacy, Embrun Convenience. Tags are $2 each, as supplies last and/or locations remains open. 

The Preschool St-Jean Daycare is open.

The St-Jean/La Croisée Daycare (before and after school program) will be closed from April 19 to June 25, 2021. A summer camp will be offered at the St-Jean/La Croisée daycare for school-aged children from June 28 to August 27, 2021. This French only camp is offered to children registered with the Conseil de district catholique de l'Est ontarien.

For any information or questions, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department.

Parks & Play Structures

Parks playground structures and green space are opened to the public. However, users must attend only with their immediate household and stay 2 metres apart from other users. Picnic tables areas in parks are closed.

Baseball Diamonds

As of Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., the baseball diamonds will be open to the public.

As of Wednesday, June 30, team sports without contact or modified to avoid personal contact are allowed to be practiced or played. Please communicate with the Parks and Recreation Department to rent a baseball diamond.

Splash Pad

The Splash Pad at Yahoo Park (2 Marcel St. in Embrun) is open (as of May 20, 2021)!

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit confirms that stand alone splash pad, like ours, are similar to play structures; thus, they should remain open. Splash pads that are part of a pool or wading pool should remain closed.

Skateboard Park

As of Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., skateboard parks will be open to the public.

Tennis/Pickleball/Basketball Courts

As of Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., tennis, pickleball and basketball courts will be open to the public.

For step 1, as of June 11, 2021, regulations are staying the same for tennis and pickleball courts:

• only singles games are allowed;
• participants must maintain physical distancing at all time;
• activities that are likely to result in individuals coming within 3 metres of each other are not permitted.

For step 2, as of June 30, 2021, team sports without contact or modified to avoid personal contact are allowed to be practiced or played.

Dog Park

There are no closures at the dog park due to COVID-19. Social distancing and gathering restrictions are remain in effect.

Public Safety & Enforcement

Our by-law officers are continuing their regular duties. All by-laws remain in effect as usual.

Dog Tag Purchases and Renewals

• Option 1: Fill out and submit your renewal application online. The dog tag(s) will then be mailed to you.
• Option 2: Download the application form and mail the completed form as well as your payment to Town Hall (717 Notre-Dame St, Embrun ON K0A 1W1). The dog tag(s) will then be mailed to you.
• Option 3: Download the application form and deposit the completed form as well as your payment in the drop box outside to the left of the main entrance at Town Hall (717 Notre-Dame St, Embrun ON K0A 1W1). The dog tag(s) will then be mailed to you.

Sports Dome (150 Sportplex St. in Embrun)

As of Monday, July 19, 2021, the Sports Dome will be open! For more details, please visit the Sports Dome and membership page.

Bowling Hall (8 Blais St. in Embrun)

The Bowling Hall will be closed until further notice.

Arenas

The arenas are currently closed for the summer.

Boat Launch

As of Saturday, May 22, 2021, the boat launch will be open to the public. 

Hall & Facility Rentals

The community centres and halls are available for rentals. See the Rent a facility page.

Municipal Programs

Visit the program guide and registration page for further details.

Reimbursements

All necessary refunds will be made within a reasonable period.

Municipal Summer Camps

Information on 2021 Municipal summer camps (Moustiques, Kaboum, Sunshine, Lightning and Xtreme) are posted on the Program Guide and Registration page. Online registrations are now open.

Municipal Pool

The municipal pool located at 288 Castor St. in Russell will be opening on June 26, 2021!

Information on the 2021 season are posted on the Public Pool and Swimming Lessons page.

Swimming Lessons

Information on the 2021 swimming lessons are posted on the Public Pool and Swimming Lessons page.

Town Hall and our satellite offices are closed to the public as of December 24, 2020 at 12:00p.m. (noon) until January 23, 2021. Payments can be made using:

• our outdoor dropbox at Town Hall
• our various online services
• through your banking institution.

Residents with pre-authorized payment plans will continue to have their amount withdrawn as usual.

A reminder to any residents that will have trouble paying your tax bill due to circumstances. We are here to help. Please contact our Finance Department. The Township will always offer solutions to residents who may have difficulty paying their tax bill.

Town Hall and our satellite offices are closed to the public as of December 24, 2020 at 12:00p.m. (noon) until further notice. In-person services will be considered if the matter is urgent, through appointment only. Payments can be made using our outdoor dropbox at Town Hall, our various online services, and through your banking institution.

Marriage Licence

Marriage licence applications for residents of the Township only getting married in the next 3-4 weeks or if urgent can be made by appointment while Town Hall is closed to the public. Please contact the Clerk’s office at clerk.greffe@russell.ca.

Lottery License

Lottery license applications can be deposited into our outdoor drop box, found to the left of the main entrance at Town Hall. Please note that there will be delays in processing lottery license applications.

Commissioner of Oath

Commissioner of Oath requests are not offered while Town Hall is closed to the public.

Request for Access to Information

Town Hall is closed to the public, please send the form duly completed and signed with their $5.00 fee by mail or in the drop box at the Town Hall at 717 Notre Dame Street, Embrun.