Yves Laviolette is 2025 UCPR Warden

After a 37-year gap, Yves Laviolette is serving another term as the Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR). Laviolette was acclaimed as 2025 warden of the regional government at an inaugural meeting held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, succeeding Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel.

Laviolette, who also had a successful career in the construction business, has served as Mayor of Alfred and Plantagenet since 2022. He entered municipal politics as Reeve of the former Township of Alfred municipality in 1986 and served as UCPR Warden in 1988. During that time, he focused on establishing a water system linking Lefaivre and the village of Alfred, and road improvements. He left municipal politics in 1992 and did not intend to return. However, he did return in 2018 and was elected as a councillor in Alfred and Plantagenet, and became mayor four years later.  

Laviolette was nominated as 2025 UCPR Warden by Clarence-Rockland Mayor Mario Zanth.

“He has seen all of the work that the United Counties of Prescott and Russell has put through the years in making sure that our region is an outstanding place to live, to work, to play, to raise children, and to start a business,” Zanth said.

East Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Kirby seconded Laviolette’s nomination.

“He understands the great dedication and collaboration required of a warden,” remarked Kirby.

In his inaugural address, Laviolette identified his challenges and priorities for the UCPR during the year ahead. Those include the official opening of the new Prescott and Russell Residence in Hawkesbury, finding solutions, in collaboration with the other mayors, to counter the budgetary pressures affecting the region’s municipalities, carry on road and municipal infrastructure maintenance, and continue planning the 17/174 widening project.

“My sincere thanks to Mr. Normand Riopel, Mayor of the Township of Champlain, for his two years as Warden in 2023 and 2024. He guided the UCPR Council with confidence and dedication,” Laviolette said.

He expressed optimism that the UCPR Council, which is comprised of each of the eight municipal mayors in the UCPR, can have a productive year.

“I know we are a strong and dedicated council,” Laviolette said.

Community contributions

On December 18, 2024, the UCPR continued the tradition of contributing funds raised during the previous year’s warden to various community organizations. The funds are raised at the Warden’s Golf Tournament during the summer and at the Warden’s Banquet held each November.

Riopel presented a total of $28,000 to 24 regional community organizations. The organizations that received these funds are:

·         137 Royal Canadian Dragoons Royal Canadian Army Cadets – $1,083;

·         832 Twillick Clarence-Rockland, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron – $1,083;

·         Arbor Gallery – $1,000;

·         Casselman-Crysler-St-Albert Food Bank – $1,083;

·         Cercle des Fermières de Chute-à-Blondeau – $1,250;

·         Cercle des Fermières de Ste-Anne-de-Prescott – $1,250;

·         Chevaliers de Colomb St-Isidore – $1,625;

·         Club 60 of Casselman – $1,083;

·         Club de l’Amicale du Village de L’Orignal Inc. – $500;

·         Comptoir familial Le Partage de Bourget – $1,083;

·         Drillers (Tournoi Annuel de Balle de Plantagenet) – $1,083;

·         Freedom Dog Rescue – $1,083;

·         Hawkesbury Central Food Bank – $1,083;

·         L’Orignal Food Bank – $1,000;

·         L’Orignal Old Jail – $1,500;

·         Ligue de Balle Femme D’Alfred – $1,083;

·         Limoges Food Drive Committee – $1,625;

·         Maison Interlude House Inc. – $3,333;

·         Prescott-Russell Community Services – $1,083;

·         Royal Canadian Legion, Long Twiname Branch 372, Russell ON – $1,000;

·         Ski Vent Clic – $750;

·         The Friends of the Macdonell-Williamson House – $750;

·         Vankleek Hill and District Historical Society – $500; and

·         Wendover softball league, Wendover Optimist Club – $1,083.