Clarence-Rockland City Hall is the seat of municipal government and corporate head office for our municipality. It is located at 1560, Laurier Street in Rockland, in a heritage building built in 1905. This building was previously a bilingual secondary school, one of the first in Ontario.
The City of Clarence-Rockland, a tier 2 municipality within the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, is situated on the Ottawa River, approximately 30 km East of the National Capital. With a current population of 26,500 residents, it is one of the fastest growing communities in Eastern Ontario, projecting a compound annual growth rate of 1.68% for the 2021-2036 period. This growth trajectory anticipates an overall population increase of 4,960 individuals (+18.2%) by the conclusion of this timeframe.
Characterized by a blend of rural and urban areas, Clarence-Rockland fosters a small-town ambiance coupled with a strong sense of community. Traditionally acknowledged as a bilingual and primarily Francophone community, there has been a notable rise in the proportion of English-speaking residents1, currently constituting 26% of the total population. This linguistic transition stands as a notable demographic shift alongside an increase in the percentage of non-Canadian-born residents and an aging populace. While these demographic transformations align with broader trends, Clarence-Rockland is experiencing these changes at an accelerated pace compared to neighbouring communities. Thus, taking action to adapt to and actively influence its growth is a time-sensitive necessity for the municipality.
Economically, Clarence-Rockland stands as a prosperous community. It is characterized by high average and median household incomes, low unemployment rates, and decreasing poverty levels, with some exceptions such as an increase among households headed by individuals over 65 years of age. Serving as a net labour exporter, a substantial portion of the city’s population is engaged in the public-sector workforce of the National Capital Region. The proximity to Ottawa remains a primary driver of population growth, which in turn is expected to drive Clarence-Rockland's anticipated job expansion in sectors such as retail, healthcare, education, and public services.
Considering the backdrop of social, economic, and demographic dynamics outlined above, Clarence-Rockland emerges as a growing and thriving community. However, in a rapidly changing environment, maintaining this advantage requires the municipality to continuously shape and adapt to its future.
It is thus against this backdrop that in Summer 2023 the City of Clarence-Rockland embarked on a strategic planning process with advisory support from the KSAR Consulting Group. The purpose of the Strategic Plan is for the City to make key choices to orient its future growth and development. It is an opportunity as well to reflect on internal and external forces and characteristics that are currently shaping or will shape the City and for the City to decide how to influence or adapt to them.