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Russell–Embrun

Russell–Embrun Fast Facts

  • Population: 15,060
  • Size: 21.19 sq. km
  • Avg. household income: $132,394
  • Number of homes: 5,652
  • Distance from Parliament Hill: 44 km southeast
  • Who’s building: eQ, Corvinelli, Guildcrest, Saca, Tartan, Valecraft, others

Boundaries

Russell: Route 200 on the north, Heritage Road on the south, Hamilton Road on the west, Eddie Road on the east.
Embrun: Route 300 on the north, Route 400 on the south, St. Guillaume Road on the west, St. Thomas Road on the east.

History

What is now Russell Township, which includes both Russell and Embrun, was defined by the Parliament of Upper Canada in 1792. Settlement was slow; Embrun was founded around 1845, and five years later, there were just 64 people in the whole township. Both communities began to boom in 1898, when the Ottawa and New York Railway Company built stations in each one. The first half of the 20th century brought challenges: in 1915, a fire destroyed 25 of Russell’s buildings, and in 1957, the rail line shut down. However, the opening of Highway 417 in the 1970s made commuting to Ottawa easier, and the township’s population has been rising steadily.

Russell is primarily anglophone, while Embrun is predominantly francophone. Both towns are in rural settings.

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Claim to fame

In 2018, MoneySense magazine named Russell Township as one of the best communities in Canada to live and raise a family.

Who’s building where


In the area

In Russell, older homes — as well as new developments such as Russell Trails — make the town’s real estate market an active one. Embrun is also a mix of older homes and new developments, including Place St. Thomas. Both towns are within easy driving distance of downtown Ottawa and offer a mix of local and larger retailers and services. Attractions include:

  • New York Central Fitness Trail
  • Russell Sports Dome
  • Popsilos
  • Nautica Equestrian Centre
  • W.E. Burton Conservation Area
  • Henry Tweed Conservation Area
  • St-Albert Conservation Area
  • Calypso Theme Waterpark

Schools

There is a full range of English and French public and Catholic schools, with the exception of a French public high school:

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There is also a campus of the TR Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education.

Businesses

Russell–Embrun is primarily residential. Local retailers, services and schools offer employment, and there’s a small industrial park. Many residents commute to Ottawa for work. Businesses include:

  • Gym Express
  • Piché Fruits et Legumes
  • Etienne Brulé Brewery
  • Embrun Home Hardware Building Centre
  • M&M Food Market
  • Sandee’s Restaurant
  • Jean Coutu Pharmacy
  • Loiselle Sports
  • Wiggles N Giggles
  • Dollarama
  • Boston Pizza
  • Rona La Coop Agricole d’Embrun
  • Tuque de Broue Brewery
  • Embrun Your Independent Grocer
  • Shoppers Drug Mart
  • Beer Store
  • Tim Hortons
  • Laplante Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
  • VéloXpress
  • Giant Tiger
  • Embrun Ford Sales
  • Subway
  • Quilters Barn and Gifts
  • Village Paws
  • Barry’s Home Hardware
  • Foodland Russell
  • LCBO

Amenities

They include:

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  • Embrun Arena (Palais des Sports)
  • Russell Arena
  • Russell Fairgrounds
  • Embrun Boat Launch
  • Russell Boat Launch
  • Embrun Community Centre (includes a bowling hall)
  • Township of Russell Public Library (Embrun and Russell branches)
  • La Maison des Arts
  • Russell Centennial Pool

Services

Services in Russell–Embrun include medical offices, churches, salons, banks, credit unions, gas stations, a Service Ontario office, a veterinary hospital, a dog park, retirement homes and daycare centres.

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Transit options

In partnership with OC Transpo, 417 Bus Line Ltd. provides weekday commuter service between Russell and Embrun and Ottawa­–Gatineau, although the service has been suspended during COVID.

417 Bus Line Ltd.

For more info

Russell Township

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