Page 6 ALTO RELEASES HIGH-SPEED RAIL CONSULTATION REPORT
VOLUME 41 • NO. 01 • 4 PAGES • EMBRUN, ON • JULY 1ST 2026
N EWS COUNCILLOR CHARLES ARMSTRONG SEEKS RE- ELECTION IN RUSSELL TOWNSHIP, CITING GROWTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE PRESSURES
GABRIELLE VINETTE gabrielle.vinette@eap.on.ca
calling them an important transparency tool despite occasional discomfort. Balancing taxes, services, and development Armstrong noted that municipal decisions are increasingly shaped by provincial policies, including limits on development charges that help fund infrastructure like fire services. He said that as development costs shift more toward municipal taxpayers, careful planning around density becomes even more important. “If we can accommodate growth more efficiently within existing areas, we reduce pressure on services and keep costs more manageable,” he said. Key challenges ahead Looking forward, Armstrong said the next council will face significant financial and social pressures, including wastewater infrastructure, housing affordability, child- care shortages, and access to healthcare services. “We have a growing community, and with that comes responsibility,” he said. “Affordable housing, daycare spaces, and healthcare access are all major issues we need to address.” Despite the challenges, Armstrong said he is prepared to continue working on long- term planning for the township. “These are big decisions, but they are necessary if we want to manage growth responsibly,” he said.
“There will be surplus facilities, and we need to decide whether to keep, repurpose or modify them,” he said. “All of this comes down to balancing costs for taxpayers.” Managing growth and farmland loss A major concern for Armstrong is urban sprawl and the loss of farmland as villages expand outward. He said increasing density through housing types such as townhouses, semi- detached homes, and apartments could help limit boundary expansion while improving housing affordability. “We need to move away from single-fa- mily-only development where possible and increase density within existing settlement areas,” he said. Armstrong added that redevelopment projects already underway show how a single residential lot can be converted into multiple units, increasing housing supply without expanding infrastructure costs such as roads and sewer lines. Lessons from council and public engagement Reflecting on his time in office, Armstrong said municipal governance requires detailed attention to budgeting and financial planning. “You really have to delve into the num- bers,” he said, referencing the complexity of municipal budgets and their direct link to property taxes. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining strong public engagement,
Councillor Charles Armstrong is see- king re-election in the upcoming Russell Township municipal election, saying continued growth and major infras- tructure challenges are among the key reasons motivating his decision to run again. Armstrong said the township is entering a critical period as it faces rapid population growth, expanding urban boundaries, and significant long-term infrastructure costs. “We have many challenges over the next few years, most of it surrounding a growing community and the demands that come with it,” he said. “Urban sprawl, wastewater treatment needs, recreation facilities, and surplus buildings are all issues we need to address.” He pointed to the township’s planned wastewater treatment plant as one of the most pressing and expensive projects on the horizon, estimating costs could reach approximately $90 million. “That’s something we have to start bud- geting for now,” he said, noting the project will likely need to be underway well before its expected 2036 timeline. Armstrong also highlighted the opening of the new recreation complex, saying ope- rational decisions and the future of older facilities will require careful planning.
including face-to-face discussions with residents. “When you sit down with people and explain the costs and trade-offs, you often find common ground,” he said. Armstrong said he supports keeping public question periods at council meetings, Councillor Charles Armstrong is seeking re-election in Russell Township, highlighting growth, rising infrastructure costs, and housing pressures as key priorities for the next term. (Photo provided)
SLOW DOWN OR MOVE OVER FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES : OPP
GABRIELLE VINETTE gabrielle.vinette@eap.on.ca
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding drivers to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles following a recent serious collision involving an OPP cruiser. Earlier this month, an OPP cruiser was struck while stopped on a highway with its emergency lights activated. Officers were conducting traffic control to protect the scene of an unrelated collision and ensure the safety of first responders and motorists. A vehicle travelling at highway speed collided with the stationary police cruiser, sending an OPP officer to a regional trauma centre with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police say the collision was preventable. Under Ontario's Move Over law, drivers must slow down and, when it is safe to do so, move into another lane when approaching
The damage sustained by an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) car after being struck by another vehicle earlier this month prompted the OPP to remind drivers to pull over or slow down when near emergency vehicles. (OPP)
emergency vehicles or tow trucks displaying flashing lights. Motorists who fail to comply with the law may face significant fines and penalties. More importantly, police stress that ignoring
the law places the lives of emergency res- ponders and other road users at risk. “This incident is a reminder that officers, tow operators, and other emergency respon- ders are working just feet away from live
traffic,” said Staff Sergeant Julie Anne De Groot of the OPP Traffic Incident Manage- ment Enforcement Team. “We need drivers to pay attention, slow down, and move over so everyone gets home safely.”
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