The Township of Champlain and the Town of Hawkesbury are getting closer to an agreement involving municipal services for land located beside the boundary of the two municipalities.
On December 17, Champlain and Hawkesbury announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that strengthens the partnership between the two municipalities and paves the way for future growth and service improvements in the region. This MOU establishes the principles for negotiating a formal agreement between the two municipalities which they are committed to reaching by April 30, 2026.
Under the MOU, Hawkesbury has expressed interest in annexing certain parcels of land located east of its current boundary within the Township of Champlain. These parcels, representing 106.42 hectares of primarily forested land, are adjacent to residential areas north of the MacEwen gas station on County Road 17, and east of the Jean-Coutu warehouse on Tupper Street. They are designated as Trade and Industry Policy Area under the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, with some sections being designated as Rural Policy Area.
The Hawkesbury Industrial Investment Association (HIIA) has purchased 130 acres of the land north of County Road 17 with the intent of developing an industrial park on the site. However, the land is currently in Champlain Township but can only receive municipal water, sewer, and road connection from Hawkesbury.
In exchange, Champlain will gain access to Hawkesbury’s water and sewer services for a designated area of 138.7 hectares on the south side of County Road 17. It includes the land behind and beside the KIA and Honda outlets.
“This memorandum of understanding represents a strategic step toward strengthening the economic partnership between Champlain and Hawkesbury,” said Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel in a news release.
“By collaborating proactively, we are maximizing efficiencies and unlocking our shared potential. This agreement comes at no cost to our residents and opens the door to new opportunities that support sustainable growth while respecting the needs and realities of our community,” Riopel added.
Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre said the two municipalities decided to establish the MOU and eventual agreement in a way that allows both Hawkesbury and Champlain to keep future tax revenue from developments resulting from the agreement.
“We wanted to keep it simple,” Lefebvre said.
He said Hawkesbury is not interested in annexing the land south of County Road 17 in Champlain which will eventually receive water and sewer services from Hawkesbury.
Lefebvre highlighted the potential for new job creation from development on the subject lands, and how industrial growth usually supports the growth of other businesses and services. He said the potential revenue from a new industrial park in Hawkesbury will be beneficial for the town because industrial property tax rates are usually greater than residential tax rates by a ratio of three to one.
