The Township of Champlain is located east of Ottawa, the capital of Canada and west of "La ville de Montréal". We are within close proximity to major highways (401, 417 and 34) leading to the Victorian Town of Vankleek Hill. The Ottawa River flows along our community so you can also sail into our municipal marina located on the shores of the historic Village of L'Orignal. Cycle along one of many connecting links or, in the winter, snowmobile or cross-country ski through the agro-tourism sectors of West Hawkesbury and Longueuil wards.

Our "Can-Do" attitude based on a vibrant industrial, business and farming community fosters progressive economic growth in the Township of Champlain. The rural and urban residential developments provide "easy living" in a community offering day care, elementary and secondary education in the language of your choice. Local social groups cater to all ages and interests as do our modern recreational facilities and library service. This is a place to live, work, and play...

Mayor's Message - August 2011

As we approach the final three months of this year we are still working on the following capital projects. The design for the connecting link of Highway 34 in Vankleek Hill, from the traffic lights to the northerly limits of the town, is almost complete and this project will be out for tender this coming winter. Work will begin early next year. This project is financed by the Ministry of Transport of Ontario. Also, with the aid of Trillium Grants, we are rebuilding a play structure in L’Orignal in the Laurier Pilon Park as well as installing lights on a soccer field in Vankleek Hill. We want to thank the VCI Reunion Committee for their generous contribution, the Vankleek Hill Minor Sports Association who have been administering the Garrett Allen Memorial Fund, as well as the Upper Canada District School Board, for their contributions to offset the cost of the lights. We would also like to thank the Rotary Club, the Knights of Columbus and the “Cents Coeur” groups for their contributions to the play structure. Both of these are excellent examples of how our community works together for the benefit of everyone.

Our Senior Citizen of the Year Award was presented this year to Murray J. Allen. Murray lives in the Longueuil Ward of our Township. Along with his many community activities, he operates a dairy farm along with two of his sons.

Don’t forget Hazardous Household Waste Day to be held on Saturday, October 1, 2011. Watch for our newspaper advertisements which will provide you with all the necessary details. Your participation is needed as this program is an opportunity to prevent hazardous materials from entering landfills and possibly our drinking water supply. We will all benefit from a cleaner environment.

Finally, I would like to invite everyone to visit the International Ploughing Match and Rural Expo to be held in nearby Chute-à-Blondeau from September 20-24, 2011. Hundreds of local volunteers are busily preparing to make this a successful event. We will be welcoming between 80,000 to 100,000 people to our area during that week. The economic spinoff for the local community is estimated to be $10 million. Please join me to make our visitors feel welcome!

Gary J. Barton,
Mayor
August 2011.