Media Release - December 9, 2025

Clark Launches Petition to Support Rideau Canal Tourism Operators
Petition calls on federal government to restore full navigation at Lasalle Causeway in Kingston ahead of 2026 boating season to protect $309 million tourism economy.

QUEEN’S PARK — Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, has launched a petition in support of tourism operators along the Rideau Canal who have been dealt a financial blow by the continued restriction on full navigation at the Lasalle Causeway in Kingston.

The Ontario government has passed legislation which would create a new Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency to provide oversight and strategic direction for Conservation Authorities. In addition, the province has posted a proposal on the Environmental Registry of Ontario ( ERO 025-1257) that would consolidate the current 36 Conservation Authorities into seven Regional Authorities. It is proposed that Cataraqui Conservation would become part of a new 18500 sq km St Lawrence Regional Conservation Authority along with Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley, South Nation, and Raisin Region CA.

We encourage residents to consider the programs and services that they use or benefit from currently with Conservation Authorities and how these would work within the regional model the province is proposing. The public can visit the Environmental Registry of Ontario to review the proposal and submit feedback. Comments can be submitted at the ERO posting page or to ca.office@ontario.ca. The deadline for commenting is December 22, 2025.

https://cataraquiconservation.ca/blogs/news/province-proposes-new-conservation-agency-consolidation-of-conservation-authorities

The Weekly Update for December 1 to December 5 is here.

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Ontario Invests Additional $3.9 Million to Restore Snowmobile Trails Investment will reopen 4,500 kilometres of trail system, connecting communities and supporting local economies

BROCKVILLE — To protect Ontario’s snowmobile network and the communities that rely on it, the Ontario government is providing the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) with an additional $3.9 million this season, bringing total support to $4.9 million in 2025–26.

Take notice that the Committee of Adjustment for the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 1:00 pm.

For further information, including how to participate/comment in the public hearing, please visit the  Committee of Adjustment Meeting - December 16, 2025, agenda on escribe.