Existing plans related to municipality and region in which the proposed property is located

5. Protection and Management of the Property


  1. Ownership
  2. Protective designation
  3. Means of implementing protective measures
  4. Existing plans related to municipality and region in which the proposed property is located
  5. Property Management Plan
  6. Sources and levels of finance
  7. Sources of expertise and training in conservation and management techniques
  8. Visitor facilities and statistics
  9. Policies and programmes related to the presentation and promotion of the property
  10. Staffing levels

D. Existing plans related to municipality and region in which the proposed property is located

The following summary of municipal official plans concerns the land-use policies in place along the route of the Rideau Canal and in the city of Kingston as they affect and complement the work of the Parks Canada Agency to protect the cultural resources under its jurisdiction.

City of Ottawa, Ottawa 20/20, 2003

The city of Ottawa is the largest municipality along the Rideau Canal. Ottawa’s official plan recognizes that the Rideau Canal is a significant heritage resource for the city, contributing significantly to the tourism potential of the communities along its shore. According to the plan, the canal’s value lies in the combination of historic engineering works and buildings, open spaces and natural features that, together, constitute a cultural heritage resource of outstanding national significance.

Through its official plan, Ottawa is committed to the conservation of the natural environment, cultural heritage, scenic qualities, and recreational potential of the Rideau Canal by:

  • Reviewing development applications adjacent to the canal to ensure that the visual quality of the waterway and view from the waterway, as well as natural and cultural features, are evaluated. In this respect, a cultural heritage impact statement is required for any development application adjacent to the canal, which will be reviewed in consultation with the Parks Canada Agency and the National Capital Commission;
  • Requiring an assessment of the potential impact of the development on boating safety on the Rideau Canal and on the aquatic environment where significant aquatic natural features are known to exist. The study will be reviewed in consultation with the Parks Canada Agency;
  • Prohibiting pits and quarries along the Rideau Canal;
  • Prohibiting land uses that require outside storage or large paved areas or that produce noise, fumes and dust.
Township of North Grenville, Official Plan, 1999

The official plan contains policies to protect wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas. The creation of lots fronting onto the Rideau Canal requires measures to preserve environmentally sensitive features and water quality. These measures serve to protect the slackwater sections of the canal within this jurisdiction.

Merrickville-Wolford, Official Plan, 2004

This township is located on the south side of the canal between Nicholsons Lock Station and Smiths Falls. The official plan includes innovative policies to protect the heritage values of the shoreline through a special heritage designation. The plan also contains policies to protect the natural values of the shoreline and the historic core of the village of Merrickville, which includes the Merrickville Lockstation.

Township of Montague, Official Plan, 2001

The Township of Montague is situated along the north side of the Rideau River between Smiths Falls and Burritts Rapids. The official plan includes policies for the protection of wetlands, endangered and threatened species habitat, and environmentally sensitive areas along the Rideau Canal. These measures serve to protect the slackwater sections of the canal within this jurisdiction.

Township of Drummond-North Elmsley, Official Plan, 2002

This municipality is located on the north side of Lower Rideau Lake and includes the Tay Canal.

The official plan recognizes the Rideau Canal as a significant natural and recreational resource.

It commits the township to work with the Parks Canada Agency and other agencies and the private sector to protect its heritage and recreational values. The plan contains policies for the protection of natural shorelines and the township’s cultural and natural resources adjacent to the canal.

Town Of Perth, Official Plan, 2000

Perth is one of Canada’s best-preserved historic towns. Its long history of heritage conservation is reflected in the Official Plan’s policies for the protection of the town’s built heritage. The plan contains objectives for heritage conservation and specific policies to achieve them. Most noteworthy is the policy to enter into heritage easement agreements with owners of designated buildings. As well, the plan requires new in-fill construction to be compatible with existing heritage resources. These provisions ensure that the canal corridor through the town will be protected.

Tay Valley Township, Official Plan, 2003

Tay Valley Township is located along the north shore of Big Rideau Lake. The official plan has specific policies for the preservation, enhancement and revegetation of shoreline areas using native species. The cultural heritage policies require that any new development be planned so as to preserve and enhance cultural heritage resources, and that the Parks Canada Agency be consulted on new development lying within 300 m of Big Rideau Lake.

Town of Smiths Falls, Official Plan, 2005

The Smiths Falls official plan has a number of policy statements specific to the Rideau Canal. One of its objectives is: “To recognize the Rideau Canal as the town’s major tourist and recreational asset, and to support and co-operate with the federal government’s development plans along the canal.” The plan contains an entire section on development policies for lands along the Rideau Canal. These policies are intended to ensure that shoreline development occurs in a manner that is sensitive to the natural, historic and recreational character of the Rideau Canal. As well, the plan states that the town will the take the canal’s management plan into consideration when examining development proposals along the canal.

Township of Rideau Lakes, Official Plan, 2004

This township includes the major lakes along the canal: Whitefish, Sand, Opinicon, Clear, Newboro, and Upper and Lower Rideau lakes. The official plan makes specific reference to the Rideau Canal, stating the requirement to have “particular regard to the Rideau Canal Corridor and all its component parts – its scenic elements, its historic value – all its built and natural attributes.” The plan has clear objectives for the preservation of cultural heritage resources and significant natural heritage features. The township is committed to working with nonprofit organizations and government agencies to achieve common recreational, conservation and tourism objectives.

The plan has comprehensive waterfront development policies with regard to setback and water frontage requirements. These policies are intended to protect the natural, scenic, recreational and cultural values of the water bodies in the township, including the Rideau Canal. Policies for environmentally sensitive development will ensure that new development occurs in a manner that respects the natural environment.

The plan recognizes the value of the township’s cultural heritage resources and contains policies to encourage their preservation: “In reviewing development applications, the township will consider the relationship of proposed development to the contextual environment of existing buildings and landscapes having cultural heritage interest, having regard to the Environmentally Sensitive Development and other relevant sections of this Plan. The Ministry of Culture, as well as the Parks Canada Agency and the relevant conservation authority will be consulted, as appropriate. New development will be planned so as to preserve, complement and enhance cultural heritage resources.”

The plan contains comprehensive policies for protecting natural heritage features including wetlands, areas of natural and scientific interest, fish habitat, wildlife habitat, woodlands, valley lands and portions of the habitat of endangered and threatened species.

Township of South Frontenac, Official Plan, 2003

The Township of South Frontenac includes the west shore of Cranberry Lake, all of Dog Lake and the River Styx, much of which is in a natural, undeveloped state. The official plan contains policies for development adjacent to lakes and rivers, including the Rideau Canal, with restrictions on all development within 90 m of them, to protect shoreline vegetation, water quality and the natural appearance of the shore lands. Development or site alterations within 30 m will require an environmental impact assessment to evaluate the potential impacts on fish habitat. The plan also protects the habitats of threatened and endangered species, environmentally sensitive areas and significant wetlands.

City of Kingston, Official Plan, 1991

(currently being updated following amalgamation with adjacent townships)

Kingston’s official plan has comprehensive polices to protect cultural heritage resources. The plan includes criteria for designation of buildings and districts, and specific policies for heritage districts and heritage areas. In addition to policies to protect, conserve and enhance the city’s heritage resources, the plan has the following strategies:

  • Continue the process of designating buildings under the Ontario Heritage Act;
  • Ensure that any alterations, additions or renovations to heritage buildings are appropriate;
  • Continue to increase awareness of the value of the city’s heritage;
  • Develop guidelines to assist owners and developers wishing to alter or renovate heritage buildings;
  • Maintain an inventory of all designated buildings;
  • Develop zoning controls to ensure that new development is sympathetic to heritage buildings within heritage areas.

These cultural and heritage policies are inclusive of the elements of the property within the city limits, including Fort Henry, Fort Frederick, Murney, Cathcart and Shoal towers, and the Kingston Mills and Lower Brewers Mills lockstations on the Rideau Canal. In addition to the heritage policies, the plan contains progressive policies to preserve the natural values of the city, especially the Great Cataraqui Marsh, which is a significant wetland on the Rideau Canal.

Related links

Date modified :