MPP Clark Tables Rideau Canal Petition at Queen’s Park

March 24, 2026

Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes tables his petition in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on Monday, March 23, 2026, calling on the federal government to restore full navigation for marine traffic into the Rideau Canal at the LaSalle Causeway in Kingston. The petitions contained signatures from local mayors and residents of communities throughout the riding, which depend on the $309 million the Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contributes to the economy in Eastern Ontario every year.

The following is the wording from MPP Clark’s petition:

To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

Whereas the federal government has installed a temporary fixed bridge that will restrict marine traffic through the LaSalle Causeway in Kingston for an indefinite period.

Whereas this structure does not allow for full navigation to the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and vital economic driver for communities between Kingston and Ottawa.

Whereas the Rideau Canal contributes $309 million annually to the economy in Eastern Ontario, supporting marinas, shops, restaurants, and seasonal employment along the 202-kilometre historic waterway.

Whereas the restriction on marine traffic between Lake Ontario and the Rideau Canal has already caused significant negative economic impact and further disruption risks permanently harming hundreds of businesses that rely on boaters.

Whereas Public Services and Procurement Canada have not established a clear timeline, plan, or demonstrated they appreciate the urgency in replacing the temporary structure with a permanent bridge that restores full navigation.

Therefore, we the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly as follows: the Government of Ontario calls on the federal government to restore full navigation to the Rideau Canal by installing a structure to enable all marine traffic to pass through the LaSalle Causeway in time for the 2026 boating season, which marks 200 years since the start of construction on the canal.