Russell, Ontario (community)

Russell, Ontario
Motto: Pax Et Prosperitas
Map of Russell Township with Russell village on the left
Coordinates:
Country  Canada
Province  Ontario
Counties Prescott and Russell
Township Russell Township
Settlement 1845
Named 1857
Government
 • Mayor Jean-Paul Saint-Pierre
 • Governing Body Russell Township
 • MPs Pierre Lemieux
Area
 • Total 100 km2 (38.6 sq mi)
Elevation 60 m (197 ft)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Postal Code
Area code(s) 613

The Village of Russell is part of the Township of Russell which in turn is located in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell which covers part of Eastern Ontario, Canada. It is located immediately east of Ottawa, the city limits of which are just over 2 km west from Russell but its downtown core is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) northwest of Russell.

The 2006 Census revealed that the community had a population of 3,540 ,[1] making it the second largest community in the township of Russell (Russell's neighbour to the east, Embrun, is the largest community in Russell Township). The vast majority of its residents work in the city of Ottawa, making Russell a true bedroom community for commuters to Ottawa. Besides agriculture, there are no industries in and immediately around the village.

The town has a significant number of schools - English Catholic Elementary and Secondary, English Public Elementary and Secondary (Russell High School) and French Elementary school (École Saint-Joseph) [1].

Russell also has a summer swimming pool, a hockey arena, a library, an All-weather running track and a curling rink located right in the center of the village. The village also has its firehall on the south-end of the village and is policed by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The "Russell Watch Program" is a community watch where volunteers patrol the village as a second set of eyes and ears for the OPP. Patrols are mostly made during the evening and into the late night. Commercial, recreational, and residential areas are all monitored frequently after dusk.

The village has practicing lawyers, doctors, dentists and other professionals. It also has grocery store, pharmacy, garage, restaurants and many little shops to browse.

The little Castor River (translated from French means "Beaver") meanders through the settlement in summer and offers a flat trail for snowmobiles during the winter.

The village has now passed a local bylaw requiring all commercial signage to be bilingual. This bylaw is being challenged by many and by one man who seeks court confirmation of the unconstitutionality of the bylaw.

Russell is a predominantly English-speaking community, although with a sizeable French-speaking minority. 87% of the community speaks English at home, while 11% speak French at home. [2].

The travel time to the nearest built-up areas of Ottawa is typically 20–25 minutes. In the rush hour it can take up to one hour to reach downtown Ottawa, and much more to reach Ottawa boroughs west of the core zone.

In terms of ethnic origin, the people of Russell are mainly of Anglo-Celtic descent, although there is significant populations of Dutch, French, and German descent.

References