Exploring Ontario’s UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal with Le Boat
The Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, joined Le Boat on the Labour Day long weekend for an opportunity to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal, cruised the historical waterway and visited some of the local towns and village along the way.
Before boarding a Le Boat premier Horizon 3 cruiser on Friday, Minster MacLeod was greeted in the Town of Smiths Falls by Deputy Mayor and City Councilor Jay Brennan and Julia Crowder, manager of economic development and tourism for the Town of Smiths Falls to learn first-hand about the recent improvements to the downtown and waterfront with the addition of Le Boat in Victoria Basin.
Photo from Left to Right: Jay Brennan, Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Julie Crowder
Cruising from Smiths Falls to Lower Beveridges Lock
The Minster started her cruise on the Rideau by locking through detached lock in Smiths Falls, passing through Poonamalie Lockstation and cruising onto Lower Rideau Lake towards the Tay Canal. While mooring overnighting at Lower Beveridges lockstation she had the opportunity to tour a Parks Canada Otentik and speak to other boaters, local fisherman, paddlers, jet skiers and visitors from across Ontario and Quebec who were also enjoying Ontario’s great outdoors and the historical waterway.
“It is such a great tourism asset for the City of Ottawa, City of Kingston and every great community and town in between and if you have not tried it before, I would highly recommend it,” said Minister Macleod as she experienced Le Boat for the first time.
Rideau Lake to Westport
On Saturday at Rideau Ferry, Minister MacLeod was joined by Steve Clark, Member of Provincial Parliament for Leeds, Grenville, Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. They enjoyed a sun filled afternoon of cruising on the Big Rideau Lake-with a quick stop at Narrows lockstation where they were joined by Ottawa City Councilor Jan Harder. Waving to fellow boaters from the top deck of their Le Boat Horizon 3 Cruiser, they continued their journey on Upper Rideau Lake to the Village of Westport where they were welcomed by Robin Jones, The Mayor of Westport before enjoying a sunset dining experience at Scheuermann Vineyard and Winery.
First Photo from Left to Right: Honourable Steve Clark, Mayor Robin Jones, Ottawa City Councilor Jan Harde, The Honourable Lisa MacLeod. Second Photo from Left to Right: Honourable Steve Clark and The Honourable Lisa MacLeod.
Cruise to Newboro Lock
Sunday’s light rain showers did not stop Minister MacLeod from shopping and exploring the village, which included a stop at the Rideau District Museum for a photo-op with the museum’s most treasured artifact, “Sally Grant,” Statue of Justice carved in 1844 from a single white cedar tree and standing tall at an imposing eleven feet.
Back on Le Boat, the sun appeared through the clouds just in time for the final leg of the Rideau Canal adventure and cruise to Newboro Lockstation. After a BBQ Lunch on the top deck of the Horizon Cruiser, the Minister enjoyed a tour of the historical Village of Newboro with Arie Hoogenboom, mayor for the Township of Rideau Lakes and Ann Weir, economic development manager at United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. The Tours concluded with a stop at the infamous Kilborn's on the Rideau, a unique 3 story department store that has something for everyone.
“The Team at Le Boat was very excited to welcome the Honourable Lisa MacLeod on board Le Boat to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal as part of her 11-week tour of Ontario this summer. We’re glad she was able to discover this historical region from the vantage point of a Le Boat Horizon Cruiser, discovering the beauty of Ontario’s great outdoors from the waterway vs. a highway,” said Marketing Manager for Le Boat North America, Lisa McLean.
Learn more about how to cruise the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal for yourself!