General

I, like many Canadians, am deeply saddened by the news coming from Canadian Forces Base Wainwright this weekend.

On behalf of the City of Pembroke Council, I extend our deepest condolences to the family members and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and our thoughts to the injured and all those affected by this tragedy.

In Pembroke the military is an integral part of our community, and its service members, civilian staff, and families are our neighbours, coaches, friends, and family. We know you grieve together, and we are thinking deeply of you all, especially those who know people in Wainwright or have previously lived or trained there.

To honour everyone affected, flags in Pembroke will be flown at half-mast until further notice.

The City of Pembroke is inviting written proposals to provide professional engineering design and contract administration services for the Trunk Watermain Expansion project in the City of Pembroke.

Complete proposal documents in electronic PDF version, may be obtained through email request to leah.vapper@colliersprojectleaders.com and jared.wright@colliersprojectleaders.com. Proposal sets will be available for distribution beginning on October 8, 2026.

Four (4) hard copies of the proposal clearly marked as to contents or emailed PDF copy with signature to purchasing@pembroke.ca by 2:00:59 PM, Local Time, Thursday October 29th, 2026.

All questions relating to this proposal request will be received in writing up to and no later than 12:00 p.m. local time on Thursday October 22nd, 2026.

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

Jared Wright, P.Eng., PMP Project Manager

Colliers Project Leaders

The City of Pembroke, located in Pembroke, Ontario, invites written Proposals from qualified firms to provide project management and advisory services for the selection and implementation of a new financial system, including the potential selection of a separate payroll, timekeeping and scheduling solution with secure general ledger integration.

Complete proposal documents in electronic PDF format may be obtained by emailing purchasing. Proposal documents will be available beginning on October 8, 2026, during regular office hours from 7:30am to 4:00pm.

Proposals may be submitted either as four (4) hard copies, clearly marked as to their contents, or as one signed PDF by email to purchasing. Proposals must be received no later than 2:00:59 PM, Local Time, Thursday, November 12, 2026.

All questions relating to this Request for Proposal must be submitted in writing to purchasing no later than 12:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals. The Proposal with the lowest price will not necessarily be accepted.

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

As Labour Day weekend approaches, I am pleased to welcome fiddlers, stepdancers, families, and visitors to Pembroke for the 48th annual Canadian Fiddle and Stepdance Championship.

This event has been a longstanding tradition in our community, bringing generations of talented musicians and dancers to Pembroke. This year marks an exciting new chapter as the competition takes on national championship status, recognizing the reputation it has built over nearly five decades.

To everyone joining us from outside the area, whether you are camping at Fiddle Park in Riverside Park or staying at one of our great local hotels and motels, welcome to Pembroke. I hope you enjoy your time in our city and have an opportunity to experience everything our community has to offer during your stay.

The festivities begin Sunday, August 30, when Riverside Park once again becomes Fiddle Park for a week of camping, music, dancing, and gathering with friends old and new. The championship competition takes place September 4 and 5 at Festival Hall @ L’Équinoxe, 401 Isabella St. Playdowns begin September 4 at 1 p.m. and continue at 6 p.m., with another round September 5 at 10 a.m. The championship finals begin September 5 at 6:30 p.m.

I encourage Pembroke residents to take in some of the competition and help us give a warm welcome to the talented performers and visitors coming to our community. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the music, dancing, and traditions that are an important part of the culture of Pembroke and the Ottawa Valley.

An event with a history as long as this one does not happen without a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes. On behalf of Council and the City of Pembroke, I congratulate the Pembroke Fiddling Association organizing committee on the 48th edition of this special event. Thank you to the committee and the many volunteers who give their time and energy each year. Your dedication to this event, our community, and our local culture is greatly appreciated.

As we enjoy the festivities, I also want to wish everyone a safe and happy Labour Day long weekend. This is a busy weekend on our roads, and unfortunately, we know serious collisions can occur. Whether you are travelling to Pembroke, heading out of town, or simply making your way around the community, please drive carefully, be patient with others on the road, and never drive impaired. Let’s all do our part to ensure everyone gets where they are going safely.

I wish all competitors the best of luck, and I hope residents and visitors alike enjoy a safe and memorable Fiddle Week in Pembroke.

Mayor Ron Gervais

Effective, Wednesday September 5^th from 7:00 am to Friday September 4^th at 5:00 pm the Sidewalk on Victoria Street will be Closed to Pedestrians to facilitate the Fire Escape Removal at 177 Victoria St

The sidewalk will be closed on the East Side of Victoria Street between Pembroke Street West and Lake Street.

Detours will be in place. The travelling public is encouraged to use alternate routes.

You are also reminded that the businesses within the construction and detour zones remain open for business and the many business owners would be happy to serve you.

The City of Pembroke is receiving $23,101.96 in provincial funding to make implement its investment attraction strategy.

Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault announced the funding along with Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson July 10, as part of a total of $114,000 in projects across the riding being funded through the Province’s Rural Ontario Development Program.

“By supporting local businesses, municipalities and community organizations, these projects will strengthen our rural economy, create opportunities for growth, and ensure our communities remain competitive for years to come,” MPP Denault said.

Minister Thompson added, “The Rural Ontario Development program demonstrates our government’s commitment to supporting small, rural and northern communities across Ontario. Through investments that support local priorities and economic development opportunities, we are helping rural communities build strong foundations for long-term success.”

Pembroke’s project will implement the City’s Investment Attraction Strategy, a proactive initiative focused on attracting new businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals, and creative industries while supporting the growth and retention of existing businesses. Through targeted marketing, investor outreach, regional partnerships, and enhanced promotional tools, the project will showcase Pembroke’s investment opportunities and quality of life, helping to attract investment and talent, create jobs, address local service gaps, and strengthen the broader rural economy.

“[This] is an important investment in Pembroke's future,” said Mayor Ron Gervais. “On behalf of City Council, I want to thank the Ministry of Rural Affairs for recognizing the value of our Investment Attraction Strategy. This investment is about creating a community where businesses can thrive, talented people can succeed, and every resident can share in Pembroke's continued growth and prosperity.”

The project will cost about $56,000. The Province’s grant covers 50% of the cost with the remaining being covered by the City of Pembroke.

The project will be completed by December 31, 2026. Work has started on the strategy implementation.

The City of Pembroke will officially launch the Pembroke 200 campaign during a special ceremony on Wednesday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at Riverwalk Amphitheatre at Pembroke’s Waterfront Park.

The event will mark the official beginning of the community-wide campaign leading up to Pembroke's bicentennial celebrations in 2028. The evening will include remarks from local dignitaries and project leaders, followed by a ceremonial performance by the 2CMBG Pipes and Drums. Cake will be served, and displays featuring guidebooks and photographs from past anniversary celebrations will be available.

The launch also signals the next phase of the project. Following the formation of the Pembroke 200 Advisory Committee and its working groups, as well as the development of the project's vision and branding, the City will begin recruiting volunteers, community partners, sponsors, and participants to help shape events, legacy projects, and celebrations leading up to and throughout 2028 and beyond.

"Pembroke's bicentennial is an opportunity for our entire community to come together and create something truly memorable," said Mayor Ron Gervais. "This launch marks the beginning of a collaborative effort that will help shape how our community celebrates this historic milestone."
Members of the media are encouraged to attend the launch. The ceremony is also open to members of the public who wish to learn more about the project.

Those interested in learning more about Pembroke 200 or becoming involved as a volunteer, community partner, or sponsor are encouraged to contact pembroke200@pembroke.ca. More information and opportunities to participate will be shared as planning continues toward the 2028 celebrations.

The City's Q1 & Q2 2026 metered billing and the Q3 2026 flat rate billing has been delayed
while the 2026-2030 water & sanitary rates are reviewed and approved.

Click here for more information.

The City of Pembroke is pleased to announce that Ottawa River Transit (ORTC) has received the Project of the Year Award from the Institute of Transportation Engineers National Capital Section (ITE NCR).

On Friday, May 15, Angela Lochtie of the City of Pembroke and Jordan Papazoglou of Left Turn Right Turn were on hand to accept the award.

The Project of the Year Award recognizes a groundbreaking transportation project that contributes to quality of life, demonstrates excellence in innovation, creates sustainable environmental and climate impacts, and advances the practice and knowledge base of the transportation profession within the National Capital Region.

ORTC is the City of Pembroke’s three-year pilot on-demand public transit service. Rather than operating on a fixed route or schedule, riders request trips as needed, with booking available by app, online, or by phone. The service operates within Pembroke and is designed to provide a flexible and modern transit option for residents.

The success of the project to date reflects the strong collaboration between the City, transit consultant Left Turn Right Turn, transit service provider Mobility Transportation Specialists, and transit software provider Blaise Transit. The City is grateful to the ITE NCR for this honour and for recognizing the impact of innovative transit solutions in communities like Pembroke.

“This award recognizes the collaboration, planning, and commitment that have helped bring ORTC to life,” said Angela Lochtie, Director of Corporate Services for the City of Pembroke. “As the City continues to explore practical and responsive service delivery options, ORTC is an important example of how innovation can support local transit needs.”

The award was presented to Pembroke City Council on the evening of June 16, 2026.