Latest News/What's New

A major fire occurred during the night of November 29th to 30th in the UCPR's apartment building located at 810 Portelance Street in Hawkesbury.

From November 25th to December 10th, the UCPR are taking part in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

The UCPR hosted the Warden’s Banquet in honour of Mr. Yves Laviolette. Warden Laviolette celebrated his second term as head of the Council at the Alfred Community Hall, in front of more than 200 guests.

A fire occurred on the night of November 16, 2025, at the UCPR's seniors’ apartment building located at 2169 Laurier Street in Rockland.

Court Street will be closed to vehicles on Friday, October 31, 2025.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell are taking steps to finalize the process of obtaining the occupancy permit from the Town of Hawkesbury for the new Prescott and Russell Residence.

The Ontario government is investing $9.6 million in water infrastructure in Embrun, enabling growth and new housing opportunities.

The Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, supported the creation of six new businesses run by young entrepreneurs of the region during the summer of 2025.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell are inviting their residents to submit nominations for the 2025 Prescott and Russell JP St. Pierre Award.

The Warden’s Benefit Golf Tournament of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (the “UCPR”), which took place on June 20, 2025, at the Casselview Golf and Country Club in Casselman, was a great success.

The UCPR are looking for passionate individuals to join their Accessibility Standards Advisory Committee.

The UCPR have established a partnership with the Prescott-Russell Community Development Corporation (the “PRCDC”) on a pilot basis for the implementation, over 18 months, of five priority actions from the Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2029.

The UCPR want to inform residents of the closure of County Road 5 (St-Albert Road West), between County Road 3 (Notre-Dame Street/Route 500 West) and Route 400, as of May 12, 2025.

The UCPR want to inform residents that the East Castor River Bridge rehabilitation project will begin on May 7, 2025.

MPP Stéphane Sarrazin had the honor of presenting five King Charles III Coronation Medals during the United Counties of Prescott and Russell Council meeting.

The Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre is proud to congratulate the entrepreneurs from the Prescott and Russell region who have received grants totalling $40,000 through the Starter Company Plus program.

On March 19, 2025, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell were present at the launch of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan of the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital.

On International Women’s Day, a historic moment was celebrated for municipal leadership in Ontario.

The UCPR wish to advise the community that construction work is underway on the Paul-Émile-Lévesque Bridge in Casselman.

The Nation Municipality, in collaboration with the St-Albert Community Group, officially inaugurated the new St-Albert outdoor rink on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

As the united voice for Eastern Ontario’s small-urban and rural municipalities, the EOWC has set clear priorities for the upcoming Ontario election.

The EOWC has announced the acclamation of the 2025 EOWC Chair, Bonnie Clark (Warden of Peterborough County) and the election of Vice-Chair, Steve Ferguson (Mayor of Prince Edward County).

The UCPR are pleased to announce that Yves Laviolette, Mayor of the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet, will serve as Warden for the year 2025.

On November 23, 2024, the UCPR held their annual Warden’s Banquet at Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute. Mr. Normand Riopel, Mayor of Champlain Township, celebrated his second mandate as Warden in front of a full house.

On November 18, 2024, Prescott-Russell Victim Services, in collaboration with the UCPR and other community partners, will officially reopen the Hawkesbury Warming Centre for the winter of 2024-2025.

The UCPR announce that the Cobb’s Lake Bridge located along County Road 2 (Russell Road) is now reopened to traffic.

The EOWC welcomes the Ontario Government’s investment in municipalities and the services that they deliver as part of the 2024 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Building Ontario for You.

The UCPR are at the final stages of construction of the new Prescott and Russell Residence, which is under construction since the winter of 2021.

The Prescott-Russell Residence Foundation is pleased to announce that LA FRIPERIE de Hawkesbury has made a major donation of $100,000 to its Lift Me Up campaign.

The Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, enabled the start-up of six businesses during the summer of 2024.

Faithful to their Friendship Agreement ratified on August 30, 2012, the Councils of the MRC d’Argenteuil, the MRC de Papineau, and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell held their annual meeting on August 29th on the remarkable site of the historic Grenville Canal.

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) represented the region’s 103 rural and small urban municipalities during the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s (AMO) 125th Conference, held in the City of Ottawa from August 18 to 21, 2024.

The Desjardins Ontario Credit Union donates $30,000 to the Prescott-Russell Residence Foundation. The funds will be allocated to the Foundation’s fundraising campaign, Lift Me Up.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell are inviting their residents to submit nominations for the 2024 Prescott and Russell JP St. Pierre Award.

Please note that due to the storm on July 24, 2024, power to 59 Court Street in L'Orignal has not been fully restored.

On June 21, at Casselview Golf and Country Club, 160 players gathered today for the Warden’s Benefit Golf Tournament of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), under its strategic priority of infrastructure, has released the 2024 Municipal Infrastructure Policy Paper.

The UCPR are pleased to announce that Mr. Normand Riopel, Mayor of the Township of Champlain, has been appointed as the Warden of the UCPR for the remainder of the year 2024.

The Eastern Ontario Regional Network, the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and Rogers Communications announced on June 3, 2024, that Rogers 5G mobile services are now available in 21 communities across Eastern Ontario.

On May 27, 2024, the Province of Ontario presented Ontario Medals for Paramedic Bravery to four members of the Emergency Services team of the UCPR.

The UCPR are pleased to announce the official opening of their three Prescott and Russell EarlyON Child and Family Centres located in Casselman, Rockland, and Hawkesbury.

The UCPR are pleased to announce that Mr. Normand Riopel, Mayor of Township of Champlain, has been appointed Interim Warden of the UCPR.

The Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre congratulates the Entrepreneurs from the UCPR who have been awarded grants totalling $40,000 as part of the Starter Company Plus program.

It is with sadness that the United Counties of Prescott and Russell have learned of the passing of Mr. Jean-Yves Lalonde.

On February 28, 2024, during the Regular Council Meeting of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, Ms. Mélissa Cadieux, Mr. Olivier Berthiaume, and Mr. Marc-André Drouin were officially appointed as Department Heads within the UCPR.

The Township of Russell and the UCPR are pleased to introduce the first approved initiative through the new Regional Community Investment Fund.

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus supports the Minister of Energy, Todd Smith, on his announcement regarding the Keeping Energy Costs Down Act, 2024.

Mr. Pierre Leroux, Mayor of the Township of Russell and Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, has announced that he will be stepping down from his political duties as of April 19th.

Starting on April 10, 2024, the Emergency Services of the UCPR will use the Medical Priority Dispatch System. With this system, Prescott and Russell residents calling 9-1-1 can expect greater security and efficiency.

The UCPR wish to advise residents that the Cobb’s Lake Bridge rehabilitation project will begin on March 25, 2024. The bridge will be closed to traffic for the duration of the work, which is expected to last until fall 2024.

The UCPR would like to share an update on the Prescott and Russell Residence Redevelopment Project. The move, originally scheduled for spring 2024, is now scheduled for fall 2024.

The member municipalities of the EOWC and the FCM are calling on the federal government to make meaningful and collaborative investment to support the infrastructure needed to service new and existing projects and to provide for our growing and aging population.

The CEPEO and the UCPR announced an innovative partnership between the école des adultes Le Carrefour and the Prescott and Russell Residence.

The EOWC joins the AMO in calling on the province to commit to reviewing the provincial-municipal fiscal framework as part of the upcoming provincial budget.

The EOWC continued to advocate strongly for regional priorities at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association 2024 Conference.

During the annual EOWC inaugural meeting, Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon was re-elected as Chair and Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark was acclaimed as Vice-Chair for the 2024 term.

The Prescott and Russell Development Corporation, in partnership with the United Counties of Prescott and Russell have officially launched the 2024-2029 Economic Development Strategy Business Survey.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (the “UCPR”) are pleased to announce that Pierre Leroux, Mayor of the Township of Russell, will be the Warden for the year 2024.

On November 23, 2023, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Chair, Peter Emon and Vice-Chair, Bonnie Clark, met with provincial officials at Queen’s Park in the City of Toronto.

The Eastern Ontario Regional Network, the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and Rogers Communications announced on December 6, 2023, that Rogers 5G mobile services are now available in additional areas.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell announce that the Albert Bélanger Bridge located in Lemieux is now reopened to traffic.

The Ontario government is providing close to $3 million to help create 18 affordable housing units in the UCPR that will support seniors.

At the last meeting of the UCPR Council, which took place on November 22, 2023, Council Members participated in the Prescott and Russell White Ribbon Campaign.

It was during the annual Warden’s Banquet that Mr. Normand Riopel, the 2023 Council Warden of the UCPR and Mayor of the Township of Champlain, was recognized by his colleagues, his family, and members of the community.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell would like to provide an update on the rehabilitation work that is underway on the Albert Bélanger Bridge, located on County Road 8 in Lemieux, which should reopen at the beginning of December.

On October 17, 2023, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) held a successful meeting on Parliament Hill in the City of Ottawa, sponsored by Member of Parliament, Francis Drouin.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell are looking for motivated and dedicated members of the community interested in sitting on the Planning Advisory Committee.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) are joining Interlude House and the Prescott-Russell Coalition to End Violence Towards Women in urging the province of Ontario to declare that gender-based violence and intimate partner violence are an epidemic.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell wish to update the population on the rehabilitation work currently underway on the Albert Bélanger Bridge, located on County Road 8 in Lemieux, which should reopen on November 17, 2023.

The Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre (PREC) and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, have helped four students launch their business in 2023.

Elected Officials from the MRC de Papineau, the MRC d’Argenteuil, and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) gathered on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Kenauk Nature to reflect on the future of the Friendship Agreement.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell wish to update the population on the rehabilitation work currently underway on the Albert Bélanger Bridge, located on County Road 8 in Lemieux.

The Prescott-Russell Community Development Corporation in partnership with the United Counties of Prescott and Russell is launching their call for tenders for the development of the new 2023-2028 regional economic development strategy

Wardens and Mayors of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus will join more than 2,000 participants at the 2023 AMO Conference.

Paving work is underway on County Road 17, from Rollin Road to Landry Street and from Chamberland Street to Carmen-Bergeron Street, in the City of Clarence-Rockland.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell are inviting the public to submit nominations for the 2023 JP St. Pierre Award.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell have announced the permanent suspension of the PR Transpo Service.

Warden Normand Riopel’s Golf Tournament, held last Friday, was a great success.

PR Transpo Intermunicipal Transit Service, which was due to resume on June 5th, will remain interrupted until further notice.

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) is proud to release the Partial Refresh of the 2019 EOWC Paramedic Services Situation Overview Report.

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) is proud to release the Partial Refresh of the 2019 EOWC Paramedic Services Situation Overview Report.

On Bee Day, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) acknowledge the vital role that pollinators play in maintaining biodiversity.

Enbridge operates a natural gas pipeline which is located on the Principale Street/County Road 3 Bridge at the north end of Casselman.

Ottawa Riverkeeper and the regions of the Friendship Agreement celebrated three years of partnership and community-led water protection with a massive joint cleanup in Hawkesbury on May 13, 2023!

In recognition of the bravery of Sergeant Eric Mueller, who died in the line of duty, and in solidarity with all those affected by the tragedy that occurred earlier this morning in Bourget, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) have lowered the flags of the Administrative Office in L'Orignal to half-mast.

On National Caregiver Day, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) acknowledge the invaluable role that caregivers play in the healthcare system and communities. According to United Way East Ontario, caregivers provide approximately 75% of the care in Ontario by supporting family members, friends, or neighbours who are in need.

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) met on March 9 and 10, 2023 in the County of Lennox and Addington for their annual strategic priority setting meeting to set Caucus priorities for the year ahead.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell wish to issue a reminder that a complete closure of the Albert Belanger Bridge, located on County Road 8 in Lemieux, is scheduled to take place from February 21, 2023, until the fall of 2023, due to major rehabilitation work.

Following a rigorous assessment process, Accreditation Canada, the country's leader in health care accreditation, has concluded that the Prescott and Russell Residence exceeds the requirements of the Qmentum program and excels in improving the quality of its provision of services.

The temporary interruption of PR Transpo’s intermunicipal transit service, which was scheduled to end on February 12th, will now be extended until June 5, 2023, inclusively.

Following the announcement of the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) Emergency Department closure between December 30, 2022, and January 3, 2023, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) Emergency Services would like to inform the public of possible impacts on its paramedic service.

During the annual swearing-in ceremony held earlier this evening, Mr. Normand Riopel, Mayor of the Township of Champlain, was acclaimed Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) for the year 2023. On the same occasion, the Mayors from the region were sworn in as Members of the Council for the 2022 to 2026 term.

Daniel Lafleur, 2022 Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR), was recognized by his colleagues, his family, and members of the community during the 2022 Warden’s Banquet held yesterday evening at the J.R. Brisson Complex in Casselman.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) Paramedic Services have been informed that their electronic health record management system has been voluntarily and precautionarily shut down as a result of a cybersecurity incident within the IT infrastructure of their Service Provider.

The Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre (PREC) is proud to launch the application period for the Starter Company Plus financial assistance program for SMEs in Prescott and Russell. This program offers grants, training, and mentoring to entrepreneurs wishing to start, grow, or purchase a small business. Interested parties can apply now for this program which will start in November 2022.

For the eighth consecutive year, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) are inviting the public to submit nominations for the JP St. Pierre Award before 4:00 p.m. on October 21, 2022.

Elected Officials from the MRC d’Argenteuil, the MRC de Papineau, and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) gathered today at Le Chenail Cultural Centre to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Friendship Agreement, an innovative interregional partnership.

During a special meeting held this morning, Council Members of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) confirmed the appointment of Mr. Eric Larocque as Administrator of the Prescott and Russell Residence