Surveillance cameras, La Salle Causeway letter and more: Four hot topics discussed at Rideau Lake’s Aug. 12 meeting

The Township of Rideau Lakes had some hot topics of discussion during the Monday, Aug. 12 meeting of the municipal services committee. Here’s what you need to know.

Rideau Lakes to investigate surveillance camera installation

The Township of Rideau Lakes will look into the costs of installing cameras at some of its public facilities.

During a regular meeting of the municipal services committee on Aug. 12, Coun. Paula Banks brought forward a motion to direct staff to forward a report to a future meeting regarding potential costs to install outdoor surveillance cameras at all municipal properties (halls, parks, harbours) for council’s consideration during 2025 budget process.

With recent vandalism at Delta’s recreation facility and South Crosby, Coun. Marcia Maxwell suggested putting up cameras inside the halls as well as outside.

Shellee Fournier the township’s chief administrative officer said this can be done along with looking at the cost of signage making the public aware that video surveillance is going on and how long the video footage will be stored.  

The motion passed unanimously with staff to return with their findings as well as a cost analysis.
 
Bridge over troubled waters

The township has drafted a letter to put pressure on the federal government to ensure boat traffic is not hindered on the Rideau Canal with the reconstruction of the La Salle Causeway in Kingston.

Mayor Arie Hoogenboom said for the next two to three years, the bridge will be under construction and no large boat traffic (higher than 15 feet) will be flowing through the township’s locks because of it.

The letter “demands that an immediate solution be developed to allow large boat vessel traffic to travel freely through the system.”

Hoogenboom said they (the municipalities along the Rideau Canal) are “trying to be proactive for all the businesses that are dependent upon some of this boat traffic.”

The motion will ask Transport Canada to disclose and explain its process and support they have given PSPC (Public Services and Procurement Canada) in granting a permit to contravene The Canadian Navigable Waters Act to allow a temporary fixed bridge at the Causeway to cut off large marine traffic in this designated area.

Hoogenboom said they’re trying to influence a “more speedy solution.”

If they put a permanent bridge in there, “larger boats are never going to get through.”

Water quality rules subject to further scrutiny

Coun. Jeff Banks wants to see some tough rules and regulations surrounding water quality and pollution control to safeguard the water quality and ecological integrity of the lakes in the Township of Rideau Lakes. He brought forward a motion to re-evaluate household impact numbers, have a fail-safe program for storm surge overflows, prevent effluent discharge and reduce runoff into lakes.

Hoogenboom said this “is great stuff … this is motherhood and apple pie kind of stuff and I can support this when it comes to the lakes.” But he was having a difficult time supporting the motion as it was worded.

“Perhaps staff can come back and do a bit more massaging on that,” he said.

Councillors agreed that water quality is top of mind and decided to have staff do a deeper dive into the issues and consult with the Ministry of Environment and Conservation, as well as the lake associations for their input.

If discussion on this subject is to go province-wide, Hoogenboom suggested it should go to the Association of Municipalities (AMO).

“I think that’s where staff can bring a little clarity to it,” the mayor said.

This will come back to council on Sept. 3 for further discussion.
 
Canoe lending idea sinks

The township’s plan for a canoe lending library at Newboro Harbour has been blocked by Parks Canada due to liability concerns. Parks Canada has requested the removal of all township canoes from their community racks and will not issue a permit for the library.

Interim Recreation Coordinator Christy Melvin reported that alternative locations, including nearby parks and businesses, have been deemed unsuitable. Councillors are considering other options, such as the Narrows or keeping the canoes for potential future programs. Mayor Arie Hoogenboom has tasked staff with finding alternative solutions for future discussion.