Le Boat granted license to Operate on Rideau Canal in 2018
Parks Canada News Release
"Parks Canada manages one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and cultural heritage areas in the world.
Parks Canada announced today that European inland waterway boating company, Le Boat, has been granted a licence to operate along the Rideau Canal National Historic Site beginning in the 2018 navigation season.
Representatives from Le Boat and Parks Canada signed the agreement today at the Rideau Canal headquarters and discussed plans for the upcoming launch of this new, unique visitor experience on the Rideau Canal.
Le Boat offers high-end, self-hire cabin cruiser boats equipped with a modern kitchen and sleeping quarters with en-suite bathrooms for multi-day cruising experiences. Le Boat will be bringing 16 such boats in 2018 with a goal of at least 32 boats in the next 5 years. Self-hire boating is popular in Europe and it is expected that offering a similar experience on the Rideau Canal will result in an increase in visitors to Ontario.
Parks Canada is committed to the protection, conservation and presentation of the Rideau Canal. The Agency actively works with businesses, municipal governments and interested stakeholders along the Rideau to develop new and innovative programs and services to allow more Canadians, including youth and newcomers, to experience the outdoors and learn about our environment and history.
Parks Canada is encouraging visitors to plan their trips and discover new and exciting destinations, like the Rideau Canal, by consulting Parks Canada’s website or downloading the NEW Parks Canada Mobile App, for a list of hidden gems and other unique and memorable ways to celebrate Canada 150.
Quotes
“As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, our government is committed to providing visitors with high-quality and meaningful visitor experiences at Canada’s most treasured places. Initiatives such as self-hire canal boat operations will encourage economic development and support job creation along the Rideau Canal as well as create further opportunities for visitors who do not own boats to experience the history and beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site from the water. I look forward to seeing Le Boat operations next season.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and minister responsible for Parks Canada
“We are extremely excited about establishing our footprint in North America, and especially pleased to be launching our new venture in the beautiful province of Ontario, Canada. The picturesque Rideau Canal is a vacationer’s dream and the place to be next summer. With endless land and water activities along the route from fishing, paddle boating, canoeing to hiking, biking and bird-watching, this will be an experience our customers will never forget.”
Cheryl Brown, Managing Director of Le Boat
Quick Facts
- Le Boat presently operates in eight European countries.
- Le Boat clients tend to be groups and couples aged 55+ and families with children aged 8+. They are well-travelled and loyal customers (30% repeat visitation) with a large percentage from France, Germany, Switzerland, the UK and the USA.
- Le Boat holiday experiences allow renters to be the captains, provided they hold a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card and complete an orientation course with Le Boat.
- Le Boat boats are safe and easy to drive and will meet all government regulations. All boats will be equipped with bow and stern thrusters for manoeuvring into and out of locks. They are also completely bumpered for safety and have a capped speed of 10 km an hour for the Rideau.
- Le Boat North American Headquarters and operations will be based in Smiths Falls, Ontario.
- The Rideau Canal was designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in 2007.
- The Rideau Canal is a recreational paradise, attracting visitors from across North America and beyond to travel its 202 km length and explore its historic engineering and military feats at 24 unique lockstations."
Associated Links
Leboat
Parks Canada
Rideau Canal
Parks Canada mobile app
Contacts
Marie-Pascale Des Rosiers
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
613-462-5473
marie-pascale.desrosiers@canada.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
June Update from Township of Rideau Lakes
Hello,
Time is flying by as we are into our last week of June. July is almost here and I hope you are ready to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. Happy Birthday Canada!!
Portland Transfer Station
The Site is open Saturday, July 1st from 8am – 11am only.
Regular hours of operation at the Site are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am – 4pm. Items that are accepted free of charge at the Portland Transfer Station include all recycling materials, electronics, scrap metal, tire (clean & off the rim), leaves/grass clippings/dead flowers.
All waste entering the site is chargeable at a rate of $218/tonne, with a minimum charge of $10.00. Small amounts of construction material are accepted (e.g. drywall, lumber, shingles, insulation, windows/doors, carpet/flooring, etc). Demolition material is not accepted (if you tear down a house/shed/garage). Bagged waste entering the Site, MUST BE IN CLEARBAGS (dark bags are not accepted). The Site accepts cash, debit, mastercard/visa. Personal cheques are not accepted. Bag tags are not valid at the Portland Transfer Station.
Canada’s 150th Events
For information regarding events taking place in Rideau Lakes for Canada’s 150th, visit the Events page on our website at http://www.twprideaulakes.on.ca/rec-events.html#july.
Environmental Services Open House
Do you have questions about your curbside collection or the Portland Transfer Station? Come see us at our 4th Open House and find out about your waste and recycling collection services, what materials can be recycled, the landfill site, and other topics related to waste and recycling. Join us from 4:00pm-7:00pm at the South Elmsley Community Hall on Thursday, July 6, 2017. The hall is located at #441 Hwy 15 in Lombardy. Staff will be there to answer your questions or to address any concerns you have about waste and recycling in your Township.
Household Hazardous Waste Day – Saturday, July 15th, Lombardy Fair Grounds
The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is hosting one of their household hazardous waste event in Rideau Lakes this year. The event is being held on Saturday, July 15 from 8:30am-2:00pm at the Lombardy Fair Grounds at 6 Kelly Road, Lombardy. Mark your calendar or set a reminder, as this is the only opportunity for you to dispose of your household hazardous waste in Rideau Lakes this year. If you cannot attend this event, go to http://www.twprideaulakes.on.ca/documents/2017/HHW%20Days%20Poster%202017.pdf to view the County poster with other dates & locations in 2017. This event is free of charge and open to residents in Rideau Lakes and the Village of Westport.
Hazardous Waste Items include:
Batteries (household & car)
Paint/Stains/Primers
Solvents
Used oil/gasoline/diesel (must be in container)
Fluorescent light bulbs & tubes
Household cleaning products
Household detergents, waxes
Pharmaceuticals (pills, medicine, NO needles)
Pesticides/Fertilizers/Herbicides/Insecticides
Propane tanks (1 lb single use only)
Propane tanks (20lbs)
Swimming pool chemicals
Windshield washer fluid
Spent fire extinguishers
Aerosols
And other hazardous products
Sunday Island Service – For Island/Water Access Only Property Owners
In 2008, Sunday Island Service was introduced and a few years later it was extended to all residents. However, in 2017 this Sunday Service is once again only available only to property owners that do not have road access. Any resident who owns property on an island or has strictly water access only will benefit from this weekly service representing your curbside collection. If you live on the mainland and have weekly curbside collection you are not entitled to use the Sunday Service.
All rules associated with curbside collection apply for Sundays - Visit our website at www.twprideaulakes.on.ca or the Township calendar for details. Construction or demolition material and other large items will not be accepted during this Sunday Service. Names and proof of address will be required and recorded during Sunday Island Service.
Please note the time of this Service has also changed. Township trucks will be at locations from 4pm-6pm ONLY until Thanksgiving weekend at the following locations. You are not permitted to leave your bags before or after the service hours. Illegal dumping is a fineable offence.
Rabies Clinics
The Health Unit holds Rabies Clinic in Rideau Lakes and surrounding areas each year. The 2017 clinics are - Wednesday, September 13 at the Municipal Office in Chantry from 2:00-6:00pm and Wednesday, September 20 at the Elgin Fire Hall from 2:00-6:00pm. Visit the Health Unit’s website for more information. http://www.healthunit.org/
Brush Voucher
Each household is entitled to one free half ton truck load of brush in 2017. Email Amy at aschur@twprideaulakes.on.ca to get your voucher number before you visit the Site.
Amateur Photo Contest
Back by popular demand! Photos are being accepted until August 31st, for our 2018 calendar! Would you like to see your photo in the next edition of the Township Information Calendar? If so, submit your amateur photos of Rideau Lakes, (maximum of 4 per person) on a cd or by email (in jpeg format) to aschur@twprideaulakes.on.ca. Contact Amy for more information.
Township After Hours Service
Is available for issues that cannot wait until the next business day – call 1-877-798-5725. Please do not use this number for inquiries about your waste and recycling collection, taxes, to advise that your road needs grading or animal control. This number is for urgent issues such as a tree down, flooded road or washout.
Portland Transfer Station Improvements
Plans are well underway for improvements at the Portland Transfer Station. We hope to begin construction early fall, to avoid interfering with summer traffic. You will see improvements take place throughout the fall and winter to separate the waste and recycling areas, re-locate the weigh scales, improve entrance and exit area to address safety issues and make the site more user friendly. During the improvement phase, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Recycle at The Beer Store
Did you know?
In 2016 there were 1,577,574,979 bottles/containers collected at The Beer Store, as part of their Green take-it-back recycling program. Non-refillable glass is recycled into new bottles or fibreglass insulation; aluminum is recycled into new aluminum cans; PET (plastic) is recycled into plastic lumber and other plastics products; cardboard/boxboard is recycled into new paper products.
Did you also know?
That you can recycle all of your liquor, spirits and beer products at The Beer Store. What does this mean? The Beer Store accepts beer bottle caps, wine corks, mesh sleeves, beer cartons/cases, wine boxes, cans, bottles, paper bags and all other packaging. Any product that was generated from your purchase at the LCBO, The Liquor Store or The Beer Store, can be taken back for recycling at The Beer Store.
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Please do not hesitate to contact michelle@twprideaulakes.on.ca or aschur@twprideaulakes.on.ca should you have questions or concerns about our programs in the Environmental Services Department (waste & recycling).
Have a wonderful day,
Michelle Jones
Manager of Facilities &
Environmental Services
H & S Co-Chair
Township of Rideau Lakes
1-800-928-2250Ext 230
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Copyright © 2017 Township of Rideau Lakes, All rights reserved.
Four Winds Brigade
The Four Winds Brigade consists of four brigades of voyageur canoes, following wind and water from the north, south, east and west, converging:
- at the confluence of waters,
- on Asinabke—aka Victoria Island,
- at the foot of Parliament Hill,
- on Canada’s birth day, July 1, 2017.
Traditionally, voyageur canoes carried a cargo of furs and trade goods. For this voyage, these canoes will carry a different kind of payload—ideas, hopes and dreams. Their mission is to draw attention to the need for everyone, from citizen advocacy to the highest political echelons to the spirit of reconciliation—they want to see a Canada where all cultures can work and live together in peace and harmony and justice, and to also highlight reconciliation with the ecosystems that support us.
For more information, and to follow its progress: https://fourwindsbrigade.wordpress.com/.
Sunday June 25th - Four Winds Brigade travelling across Big Rideau Lake.
Classic Boat Tour on July 15 - Portland to Rideau Ferry
The Manotick chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society is hosting a boating tour that is planned on July 15 from Portland to Rideau Ferry. The organizer is Graeme Beattie; anyone interested in signing up for this fun event can contact him at ghbone@yahoo.com or at 613 232 3436. Please give some thought to this event and sign up if you can. Happy Boating from the board of directors of the Manotick chapter!
RVCA: After the Flood Resources
Click here for the The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority website, where they have posted links to a number of resources to help with flood recovery.
RVCA: Dealing with Damaged Shorelines
Public Service Announcement from Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
Recent high waters have caused erosion damage and damage to shoreline structures, particularly east of Cumberland along the Ottawa River and in the upper reaches (Tay Valley Watershed) of the Rideau Valley Watershed.
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) recognizes that some of the remedies for damage may need more than just a minor “tweak”.
This is a reminder to all landowners to check with your local Conservation Authority to see if approval is required prior to doing any “clean-up” work along your shoreline (e.g., shoreline stabilization or repair to shore works, erosion control, dock construction, etc.). There are also restrictions to when you can undertake in-water work and possibly other approval agencies that require consulting depending on where you are in the watershed (e.g., Parks Canada and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests).
The best thing to do is contact your local Conservation Authority to see if there are any restrictions or approval requirements. In the Rideau Watershed, call the RVCA’s Resource Specialists at 613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1128 and 1132. You can also visit the RVCA website at www.rvca.ca and look for the “After the Flood” link. Be sure to read the document entitled Guidelines for Shore Works in the Rideau Valley Watershed to help you with your project. In cases of severe erosion, funding may be available through Rural Clean Water Grants. RVCA Resource Specialists can guide you towards next steps required to make application to receive funding. Information on these grants is also available on the RVCA website.
The riparian zone (the area along the shores of our creeks, rivers and lakes) is an important area for wildlife and water quality. Trees and shrubs along the riparian zone provide a vegetative buffer that provides shelter and food for wildlife while intercepting upland nutrients. Trees and shrubs also provide valuable erosion protection. They are extremely resilient. Don’t be too quick to remove shoreline plants. Instead, give damaged plants the opportunity to respond with natural regrowth. Corrective pruning may suffice. If you are interested in naturalizing your shoreline, contact the RVCA for details on their Shoreline Naturalization Program or visit the website.
Waterfront property owners will want to remove any fallen branches and debris from their shoreline to ensure the unaltered and uninterrupted flow of water. Be sure not to dispose of garbage, debris or sandbags in the river. Check with your local municipality for local disposal options.
Reminder: Order your free 2017 Discovery Pass
As part of Canada's 150th birthday celebrations, admission to Canada's National Parks, Historic Sites and Marine Conservation Areas is free for 2017. This includes lockage and mooring on the Rideau Canal! Order your Discovery Pass now.