Planning some work on your waterfront property?

Who to Call

Rideau Canal, Rideau
River, Cataraqui River
and watershed lakes

When doing work in or near a public waterway, you may need approval before starting your project.
• Municipalities are responsible for planning applications and
development proposals that may affect flooding, erosion, wetlands
building permits.
and alterations to shorelines and watercourses.
• Parks Canada comments on planning applications and issues
• The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is responsible for
in-water and shoreline work permits to protect the Rideau Canal
managing Ontario’s Crown land in a way that balances social,
National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
economic and environmental interests. MNR applies the Public
• The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Cataraqui
Lands Act and Endangered Species Act in its review of shoreline
Region Conservation Authority (CA) provide comments on
activities and provides natural heritage value advice with regards
planning applications with respect to watershed natural heritage,
to Planning Act applications.
natural hazards, water quality and water quantity and they regulate

Common Projects at a Glance
Project Type

CA

MNR

Parks Canada

Municipality

y

y

Transport Canada

ON the Rideau Canal National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site *
Planning Act Application — (severance, zoning
amendment, minor variance etc.)

y

Clarification of Potential Crown Ownership

y

Adjacent Upland Development

y

Shoreline Stabilization/Alteration

y

y
y

Dock

y

Boathouse

y

y

Aquatic Plant Harvesting

y

y
y

Dredging

y
y

Floating Raft/Mooring Buoy
OFF the Rideau Canal National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site **
Planning Act Application —(severance, zoning
amendment, minor variance etc.)

y

y

y

Adjacent Upland Development

y

y

y

Shoreline Stabilization/Alteration

y

y

Dock

y

y

Boathouse

y

y

Aquatic Plant Harvesting

y

y

Dredging

y

y
y

Floating Raft/Mooring Buoy

* ON the Rideau Canal National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site refers to waterbodies on the Rideau waterway administered by Parks Canada (see map on reverse)
** OFF the Rideau Canal National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site refers to all other waterbodies (streams and lakes) in the Rideau River and Cataraqui River watersheds
that are not on the Rideau waterway (see map on reverse)

Who to Call
Cataraqui Region
Conservation Authority
613-546-4228
info@crca.ca
www.crca.ca

Rideau Valley
Conservation Authority
613-692-3571
1-800-267-3504
postmaster@rvca.ca
www.rvca.ca

Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources
Kemptville:
613-258-8204
Kingston:
613-531-5700
www.mnr.gov.on.ca

Parks Canada
Rideau Canal Office
Smiths Falls
613-283-5170
1-888-773-8888
rideaucanal-info@pc.gc.ca
www.pc.gc.ca/rideau

Assistance may be available from these agencies for shoreline naturalization and other improvements.

Transport Canada
Navigable Waters
Protection Program
National Capital
1-877-842-5606
Ontario Region
519-383-1863
www.tc.gc.ca

 Additional Information about Working Near Water
Federal Fisheries Act:
Sport fishing is renowned and river tourism
provides hundreds of jobs directly and
indirectly. Diverse and healthy fish
populations indicate a healthy river
ecosystem. For more information about the
Fisheries Act and fisheries protection,
please visit the Department of Fisheries
and Ocean (DFO) website at www.dfompo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/index-eng.html.
DFO may also be contacted directly by
phone at 1-855-852-8320 or by email at
fisheriesprotection@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fish Timing Windows:
No in-water or near-water works are allowed
during certain times of the year. These fish
timing windows allow adults to spawn
successfully in the aquatic environment
without the undue stress from shoreline
development and in-water work.
Warm water fish communities (e.g. bass)
— March 15 to June 30
Mixed fish communities (e.g. bass and
lake trout)
— October 1 to June 30
Cold water fish communities (e.g. lake trout)
— October 1 to May 31

Who to Call
on or near the
Rideau Canal

N
E

W
S

CATARAQUI REGION
CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

Parks
Canada

Transport
Canada

Parcs
Canada

Transports
Canada

The 25% Policy:
Shoreline development of all kinds (dock,
boat lift, upland deck and platform, etc.)
should not cumulatively disturb more than
25% of the length of your shoreline to a
maximum of 15 metres. This requirement is
incorporated in Conservation Authority and
Parks Canada approval policies. It makes
sense. The shoreline is the most vulnerable
part of the entire river ecosystem so disturbs
it as little as necessary to achieve reasonable
access to the water.