Federal government announces $36.2M for Rideau Canal repairs and maintenance

The federal government will spend $36.2 million to support maintenance on the Rideau Canal. CTV’s Tyler Fleming reports.

The federal government will be spending $36.2 million to support repairs and renewals to heritage infrastructure along the historic Rideau Canal.

Carleton Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy made the announcement Friday on behalf of Culture Minister Stephen Guilbeault.

The funding will support the conservation and renewal of three sites along the Rideau Canal including masonry repairs to Lock 14 at Long Island, replacement of the Brass Point Bridge near Seely’s Bay, and stone and masonry work at Clowes Weir near Merrickville.

The government says a full height reconstruction of the Lock 14 walls will be undertaken to extend its life by 50 years. Parks Canada will replace the Brass Point swing bridge and rehabilitate fixed bridge sections. At Clowes Weir work will include reconstruction of masonry components and the replacement of the timber deck for the nearly 200-year-old Weir.

“We’re doing a full masonry reconstruction of the lock walls at this lock. These locks were originally constructed in 1832, and a lot of the original masonry still remains,” says Dean Hamilton, asset manager and senior engineer with Parks Canada. “We’ll be doing a major reconstruction of both lock walls, and we’ll be improving the drainage behind the walls to prevent further deterioration in the future. The walls were constructed of limestone and masonry, blocks and we’ll be using the same materials, to repair the lock and utilizing heritage masons to do the work in an appropriate manner to maintain the heritage character of the locks.”

“The Rideau Canal National Historic Site is a national treasure that connects communities, history, and nature across Ontario. This investment will ensure its remarkable heritage structures remain strong and safe for future generations of land- and water-based visitors and local community members to explore and enjoy,” Fanjoy said.

Christine Loth-Bone, Parks Canada vice president external relations and visitor experience, says the investment in the Canal lock system is an important step to ensure the 202-kilometer stretch from Kingston, Ont. to Ottawa protects the country’s natural and cultural heritage, while supporting local communities who depend on it.

“The Rideau Canal system is one of 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Canada,” says Loth-Bone. “They were originally put in place following the War of 1812 as a major transit route between Montreal and Kingston to transport goods, today they transport recreational boaters, visitors, biker along them, people visit them on an active basis, and they invest in communities along the Rideau system.”

The government says these projects will conserve important heritage structures, improve transportation infrastructure, and ensure the continued safe passage of both water- and land-based visitors to the Rideau Canal.

“As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Government of Canada is committed to preserving the integrity and beauty of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site. This investment not only protects a living piece of Canadian history but also boosts local economies, supporting the businesses, tourism, and communities that thrive along its banks,” Guilbeault said in a news release.

The Rideau Canal National Historic Site was completed in 1832 and is the oldest continuously operated canal in North America. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Tyler Fleming

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