News

Sandbagging is a simple and effective way to reduce or prevent flood damage to your property. When installed correctly, sandbags can help divert water away from homes and protect vulnerable areas during rising water conditions.

What You’ll Need

• Sandbags (heavy-duty, woven bags)
• Sand (preferred) or soil if sand is unavailable
• Plastic sheeting (vapour barrier)
• Shovel and gloves

Filling Sandbags

• Fill bags only 1/2 to 2/3 full (approximately 35–40 lbs)
• Tie bags if they need to be transported; otherwise fold the top over
• Do not overfill, as this prevents proper sealing between bags

Safety Tips

• Wear gloves and closed-toe footwear
• Lift with your legs, not your back
• Avoid twisting while carrying bags
• Work in teams or use a brigade line to move bags efficiently

Where to Place Sandbags

• Build sandbag walls at least one metre away from your home where possible
• Avoid placing bags directly against foundation walls
• Use natural elevation on your property to your advantage

How to Build a Sandbag Wall

1. Prepare the area: Remove debris, snow, or ice
2. Dig a shallow trench: This helps prevent water from seeping underneath
3. Lay plastic sheeting: Extend it under and behind the wall
4. Place sandbags:
   • Lay the first row tightly in the trench
   • Stack bags in staggered rows (like bricks)
   • Ensure no gaps between bags
5. Build to proper size:
   • Wall should be wider than it is high (ideally 2–3 times wider)
6. Seal the wall:
   • Fold plastic over the completed wall and secure with additional bags

Important Notes

• Sandbag walls may still leak; be prepared to pump water from protected areas
• Floodwater may be contaminated—handle used sandbags with care
• Sandbags are not a permanent solution and should be disposed of properly after use

Sand and Sandbag Requests in Pembroke
If you require sand and bags for your property, please contact the City of Pembroke Operations Department at 613-735-6821 ext. 1409. Please provide your name, address, and the approximate number of bags required.

The current river levels at Pembroke have reached minor flood levels. The level is forecasted to continue to rise slowly over the next few days as the snowmelt continues in the northern portion of the Ottawa River.

The precipitation we are receiving is expected to continue throughout the rest of the week and into the weekend.

The total rainfall by Sunday is expected to reach up to 30mm.

Residents are reminded that sandbagging is an effective way to help reduce flood damage when done properly. Sandbags should be filled only halfway to two-thirds full (approximately 35–40 lbs) so they can be shaped and stacked tightly and placed in staggered rows like bricks to create a solid barrier. A small trench can help anchor the first layer, and plastic sheeting placed beneath and over the bags can improve water resistance. Sandbag walls should be built wider than they are high and positioned slightly away from structures to reduce pressure on foundations. Residents should also use proper lifting techniques and wear gloves to prevent injury.

If you require sand and bags for your property, please contact the City of Pembroke Operations Department at 613-735-6821 extension 1409.

Please be sure to give your name, address, and the approximate amount of bags you require.

Effective Monday, April 6th to Friday, June 19th, from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Paul Martin Dr. between City Limits and Boundary Rd./Mud Lake Rd. will be subject to slight disruptions, lane width narrowing, and speed limit reductions to facilitate road paving and bridge repairs.

The City of Pembroke asks that drivers always respect the posted construction signage.

Some delays can be expected, and the travelling public is encouraged to use alternate routes.

You are also reminded that the businesses within the construction zone remain open and would be happy to serve you.

We thank you for your patience as the City of Pembroke continues to improve our infrastructure.

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Public Works Week Open House

Dive into the exciting world of public works at our free open house. Learn about the work that goes on behind the scenes to provide the services you rely upon every day. Join us for this fun, interactive open house! Learn about the programs, equipment and people who work behind the scenes to keep our lights on, taps flowing, toilets flushing and roads operating smoothly.

This year's event will take place on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, featuring:

• Multiple stations, with interactive displays
• Get up close to trucks, loaders and other heavy duty equipment 
• Test your running speed against our speed camera
• Add your creative touch and help paint a plow blade
• Activities and demonstrations
• BBQ 4:30-6 p.m. (by donation)

Where: 460 River Road
When: 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. 

Would you like to book a tour of the Water Plant or Pollution Control Center?

Tours are being offered at 1:30, 3:30, and 5:30. Pre-registration is required. Please email blowe@pembroke.ca or call 613-735-6821 Ext. 1485 to register.

The City of Pembroke is currently updating its Development Charges By-law. Read the draft by-law here.

The City of Pembroke is inviting quotations from interested Bidders to provide the labour, equipment, and materials necessary to clean approximately 1,000 storm catch basins and storm sewer manholes of various depths within the City of Pembroke.

Hard copy sealed quotations, clearly marked as to contents and on forms supplied by the City, will be received by Ms. Marsha Hawthorne, Purchasing Manager/Deputy Treasurer, City of Pembroke, Operations Department, 460 River Road, Pembroke, ON, K8A 1A1 until 2:00:59 p.m., Local Time, Thursday April 23, 2026.

Electronic submissions are not acceptable.  Quotations will be opened in public. The City will broadcast the opening by way of a Microsoft Teams meeting.  Unofficial bid results will be emailed to all those who submitted bids, shortly after closing.  Language of tender submissions is English.

Complete quotation documents, in an electronic PDF version, may be obtained through email request to purchasing.  Documents will be available for distribution beginning on Thursday, April 2, 2026, during regular office hours (7:30 am to 4:00 pm).

All questions relating to this quotation will be received in writing up to and no later than 12:00 p.m. local time on Thursday April 16, 2026. 

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all quotations.  The lowest or any quotation will not necessarily be accepted.

Ms. Marsha Hawthorne
Purchasing Manager/Deputy Treasurer
City of Pembroke
Operations Department
460 River Road
Pembroke, ON K8A 1A1
Telephone: (613) 735-6821 ext. 1408

Email

The City of Pembroke has released its 2026 Development Charges Background Study as part of the process to update development charges and support future growth in the community.

The study outlines anticipated residential and non-residential development over the next 10 years and identifies the infrastructure required to support that growth. It also details how development charges are calculated to help ensure that new development contributes to the cost of services such as roads, parks, emergency services, and transit.

Residents, developers, and stakeholders are encouraged to review the full study to learn more about how growth will be managed and funded in Pembroke.

The full study is available here:

2026 Development Charges Background Study

City of Pembroke

Public Notice

Please be advised that a Special Council Meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers to discuss the Official Plan Preliminary Report.

V .Charbonneau

Clerk

City of Pembroke

By virtue of the power vested in me

I Do Hereby Declare

March, 2026

as

Amyloidosis Awareness Month

in the City of Pembroke.

Whereas March is Amyloidosis Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness, funding research, and supporting those living with amyloidosis and their loved ones; and

Whereas Amyloidosis is a group of diseases that occurs when an abnormal protein, known as amyloid, builds up in the tissues and organs of the body.  Left untreated, the disease can result in organ failure and can be fatal; and

Whereas Amyloidosis can mimic the signs and symptoms of more common medical conditions and the disease can be challenging to diagnose; and

Whereas Amyloidosis often affects people who are older or middle aged; however, younger people have been diagnosed with this disease; and

Whereas some of the signs and symptoms of amyloidosis can include shortness of breath, weight loss, fatigue, swelling in the ankles and legs, numbness in the hands and feet, foamy urine, carpal tunnel syndrome, bruising around the eyes, and an enlarged tongue; and

Whereas early diagnosis can lead to better outcomes for both patients and their families; and

Whereas raising awareness about all the amyloidosis diseases, including hereditary and non-hereditary forms of the disease, can contribute to the building of healthier communities across Canada.

Therefore, be it resolved that I, Ron Gervais, Mayor of the City of Pembroke, do hereby proclaim March 2026, as “Amyloidosis Awareness Month” in the City of Pembroke.

Dated in the Mayor’s Office this 3rd day of March 2026

Ron Gervais

Mayor, City of Pembroke

Please be advised that a Special Council Meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.  Part of the meeting will be closed to the public to discuss advice a strategic partnership application – Royal Canadian Legion Branch #72, as per Section 239(2)(i) of the Municipal Act.