Rideau Canal

The Rideau Canal can today call itself a “World Class Destination” now that UNESCO has designated the 125-mile waterway linking Ottawa and Kingston a World Heritage Site.  This prestigious honour, which includes fortifications in Kingston like historic Fort Henry, will make it easier to promote all the cultural and historic resources the Rideau Heritage Route has to offer boating and land based visitors.  The work of branding the Rideau as a world class destination falls to the Rideau Heritage Route Tourism Association a non-profit marketing partnership representing various stakeholders along the 176-year-old canal system.  To help celebrate this outstanding achievement plans are now in the works to launch the first annual Rideau Canal Festival in Ottawa this August 1-4.  The Ontario government recently provided some $277,500 in funding to help launch this “signature” festival which will feature a variety of boating, cycling and heritage events along the banks of the Rideau Canal.  Stay turned for more details!      

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