News

Invitation: International Women’s+ Day 2026

The Community, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee (CDEIAC) invites the community to join them on March 8, 2026, for a women’s reflection workshop, networking and partnership circle. The event will take place at the Russell arena and features keynote speaker Dr. Bushra Khan.

Registration is required for this event, but attendance is free! Reserve a spot now.

This is 3.5-hour event celebrating women’s leadership and empowerment in our community as we celebrate International Women’s...

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Winter Parking Ban in Effect – January 15

An on-street parking ban is in effect tonight, until 7:00 a.m. Friday, January 16, 2026.

During this period, no person shall park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain on a street between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., regardless of the weather conditions. Any person who does so is liable to a fine and/or will have their vehicle towed at the owner’s expense.

During a winter parking ban, please park in your driveway or use one of our designated overnight parking areas. Learn more about 

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Save the Date for Meet Me on Main Street

We are excited to announce the 4th edition of Meet Me on Main Street! Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This year’s event will take place at the Yahoo Park at 8, Blais Street in Embrun. This is a free event to attend, no registration required!

This year’s community gathering will feature food and beverage kiosks, local nonprofit organizations, live music, face painting, youth activities, fire safety demonstrations, and lots of outdoor fun — it’s sure to be a...

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Winter Parking Ban in Effect – January 10

An on-street parking ban is in effect tonight, until 7:00 a.m. Sunday, January 11, 2026.

During this period, no person shall park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain on a street between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., regardless of the weather conditions. Any person who does so is liable to a fine and/or will have their vehicle towed at the owner’s expense.

During a winter parking ban, please park in your driveway or use one of our designated overnight parking areas. Learn more about 

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Get your Tickets for Local Flavours Rendez-Vous

Tickets are now on sale for the 5th edition of the Local Flavours Rendez-Vous that will take place on Saturday, February 21st, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Camille Piché Community Centre (8 Blais Street, Embrun).

Come celebrate the best food and drinks our community has to offer. Meet local and regional vendors, taste delicious creations, and enjoy an evening full of flavours, fun, and community spirit.

Advance tickets are $20 each or $25 at the door. Tickets are limited, so...

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New Pumper/Rescue Truck for Station 12

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate distribution

January 8, 2026 – Russell Township Fire Services Station 12 is proud to introduce its new Pumper/Rescue fire apparatus. Purchased at a cost of $808,796, this modern apparatus will enhance emergency response capabilities and support the continued safety of both residents and firefighters. The new unit replaces two aging apparatuses that have reached the end of their service life, helping to maintain a reliable and efficient fleet.

On January 6, 2026,...

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Winter Parking Ban in Effect – January 6

An on-street parking ban is in effect tonight, until 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 7th, 2026.

During this period, no person shall park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain on a street between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., regardless of the weather conditions. Any person who does so is liable to a fine and/or will have their vehicle towed at the owner’s expense.

During a winter parking ban, please park in your driveway or use one of our designated overnight parking areas. Learn more...

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Community Update: Changes to Waste Collection

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Dear Residents,

As we begin the New Year, I want to wish you and your families a healthy, safe, and happy year ahead.

Over the past year, Council approved important changes to our waste collection system, including the introduction of the black bin system and the continuation of green bin composting. At the same time, as of January 1, recycling across Ontario is now managed under a new provincial framework and is no longer the responsibility of the...

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Automated Waste Collection Starts Next Week

A reminder that starting January 5, 2026, waste collection in Russell Township will be fully automated. Residents are reminded to use their black bin only – loose garbage bags will no longer be collected. Collection will remain weekly on your regularly scheduled day.

How to use your bin:

• Place the bin with wheels away from the road.
• Keep it clear of other bins or obstacles to ensure pickup.
• You can put multiple bags inside the bin as long as they fit.

In November, every household received a new...

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Winter Parking Ban in Effect – December 28

An on-street parking ban is in effect tonight, until 7:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2025.

During this period, no person shall park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain on a street between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., regardless of the weather conditions. Any person who does so is liable to a fine and/or will have their vehicle towed at the owner’s expense.

During a winter parking ban, please park in your driveway or use one of our designated overnight parking areas. Learn more about 

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Garbage Bag Tags

A reminder that garbage tags will no longer be used as of January 5, 2026, when waste collection becomes fully automated with the black bin.

If you have unused silver holographic garbage tags, you can bring them to Town Hall at 717 Notre-Dame Street, Embrun, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. If you purchased your tags from another location, please note that only Town Hall will provide refunds.

We will refund unused tags until March 31, 2026. Please note that this applies only to...

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Winter Parking Ban in Effect – Decembre 23

An on-street parking ban is in effect tonight, until 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

During this period, no person shall park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain on a street between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., regardless of the weather conditions. Any person who does so is liable to a fine and/or will have their vehicle towed at the owner’s expense.

During a winter parking ban, please park in your driveway or use one of our designated overnight parking areas. Learn more...

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Curious About Pickleball?

Join us for an informative session and get a chance to try it for yourself! We will have balls on hand, but you are required to bring your own paddles. Come by on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. or from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sports Dome (150 Sportsplex Street, Embrun).

The cost is $10 per player and registration is required. Registration will open online on January 1, 2026, at https://app.univerusrec.com/munrussellpub/.

The Winter and Spring Program and Activity Guide...

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Holiday Recreation Hours

Looking for something local to do this holiday season? Our hours are now available for the bowling hall, public turf at the dome, and the arenas.

Please view the full schedule for December 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026.

We will be back to regular hours as of January 5, 2026.

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2026 New Resident Guide

Are you a new resident of Russell Township? Explore our comprehensive new resident guide to learn about all the services we offer.

Even if you've lived here for a while, take a look! You might discover something new about your Township.

From Council and committees to ways you can get involved and stay informed, the guide has it all. Learn more about our services, finances, payment options, key by-laws, recreational activities, and more!

The guide also includes the 2026 Collection Calendar, which...

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Winter/Spring Program and Activity Guide 2026

Our Winter/Spring Program and Activity Guide is now available. We are offering a variety of activities in Russell and Embrun! View the full guide at www.russell.ca/programs and look for a paper copy coming to your mailbox in the coming week!

• Adult Programs:
  • Residents – Starting January 7, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
  • Non-Residents – Starting January 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
• Children and Youth Programs:
  • Residents – Starting January 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
  • Non-Residents – Starting January 19, 2026,...

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Changes to Recycling as of January

Starting January 1, 2026, Ontario will transition to an enhanced recycling system. This means that the Township of Russell will no longer manage any recycling. Ontarians will be able to recycle the same materials at the curb no matter where they are across the province and be able to recycle more materials than ever before! This new system follows Ontario’s two-and-a-half-year transition to an extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework for blue box materials.

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Winter Parking Ban in Effect – December 10

An on-street parking ban is in effect tonight, until 7:00 a.m. Thursday, December 11, 2025.

During this period, no person shall park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain on a street between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., regardless of the weather conditions. Any person who does so is liable to a fine and/or will have their vehicle towed at the owner’s expense.

During a winter parking ban, please park in your driveway or use one of our designated overnight parking areas. Learn more about 

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Council Meeting Highlights – December 8, 2025

Here are some highlights from the December 8, 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.

The next Council meeting will be Monday, January 26, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

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Recreation Complex Project Update - December

Construction moved forward in many areas throughout November.

The CIMCO refrigeration plant, natural gas generator, and several pieces of roof-top equipment were installed. Masonry crews finished the exterior brick work and continued building interior block walls in Rinks 2 and 3, as well as in back-of-house areas.

Siding crews continued working around the outside of the building, completing infrastructure work. The exterior steel framing and boarding around the Community Centre is now mostly...

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