North Dundas

Proud of a Strong Agricultural Heritage

A tight knit community  at heart, this municipality has it all in an unparalleled rural setting

In the rolling farmland of Eastern Ontario, between Ottawa and the St. Lawrence River, North Dundas is a place where connection runs deep. Here, the rural way of life is not a limitation; it’s the township’s greatest strength. Agricultural heritage shapes the landscape, but it’s the people who shape the community’s heart.

“One of the standouts is that North Dundas is essentially a rural, agricultural-based community, but a very supportive community,” says Mayor Tony Fraser. “We have many opportunities to come together as neighbours and residents, to engage with each other. There are many connections to be had in a small community, whether through volunteerism, the workplace, relationships, or extended family.”

Those connections are on full display during local events. In Chesterville—North Dundas’s second-largest village with a population of about 1,200—residents recently enjoyed four separate events in a single day: a trained dog exhibition at the fairgrounds, the bustling Art on the Waterfront festival, the 100th anniversary of Christ Church United, and an open house at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

“When people from the city think of moving to a small community, they might assume there’s nothing to do,” Mayor Fraser says. “But here, we can have four events in one day in a village this size. That says a lot about the spirit of this place.”

Turning Main Street into meeting places

One event series in particular captures North Dundas’s character: Meet Me on Main Street. Each summer, for six consecutive Wednesdays, the township transforms a main street in one of its villages or hamlets into a community gathering place. Traffic stops. Tables and chairs line the street. Local vendors serve food and drink. Musicians play. Neighbours reconnect.

“People bump into cousins or friends they haven’t met yet,” Mayor Fraser shares. “In Marionville, I met a man in his seventies who said he came hoping to see old girlfriends from high school. That’s the kind of connection we foster here.”

Helping businesses shine

While the events bring life to the streets, the township ensures those streets and storefronts are worth showing off. Through the Community Improvement Program, North Dundas provides grants and interest-free loans to help businesses upgrade building facades, signage, and other visual features.

“I’ve seen the change,” Mayor Fraser says. “We’ve gone from sun-faded awnings and worn storefronts to everything looking fresh and new. It exemplifies the support we offer to businesses, helping them put their best face forward to attract shoppers.”

This visual revitalization pairs with long-term infrastructure planning. Recently, Winchester’s main street was torn up to replace and expand a sewage pumping station. The work was strategically scheduled to allow events to go ahead with minimal disruption, a sign of how closely the township works with both contractors and community groups.

Looking ahead, North Dundas has committed $1.5 million annually to upgrade roads and streets as part of its Roads Needs Study. “It’s an aggressive commitment,” Mayor Fraser explains. “We had to raise taxes to get there, but now the increases will be smaller. Roads and streets are essential to quality of life and economic growth.”

Water and wastewater investments

For all its strengths, North Dundas faces one pressing challenge: water capacity. The township draws on groundwater sources, which means new wells and expanded treatment facilities are required to support large-scale growth. Without that infrastructure, new residential and industrial development is stalled.

“We’re putting ourselves out there that we are open for business,” Mayor Fraser says. “We’re listening, and we understand the challenges. The public wants growth, and we’re responding.”

Developers are already lined up. The township has received inquiries for approximately 1,350 new housing units, including 1,291 urban units and 245 rural lots. “If we had the water, developers would be ready to build,” Mayor Fraser says. “The province wants growth, and we need it to increase our tax base and stay viable.”

Uniting business and community

The water issue doesn’t just affect residents; it’s also a concern for major local employers. That’s why North Dundas is taking a collaborative approach, building public–private partnerships that amplify its advocacy efforts.

In January, Mayor Fraser, the CAO, and leaders from Lactalis Canada, one of the country’s largest cheese manufacturers, travelled to Toronto for the Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference. Together, they met with provincial ministers to discuss water infrastructure needs.

“We were talking about innovative ways to manage water issues,” Mayor Fraser explains. “Having Lactalis there showed the province how critical this is. Their operations, the hospital, the new long-term care facility, all depend on a reliable water supply.”

The partnership highlights a bigger point: North Dundas’s industries are part of a provincial and even global supply chain. “Most people in the province have products from this village in their fridge,” Mayor Fraser says. “This is about supporting agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and housing all at once.”

Housing for all stages of life

While new subdivisions wait for water expansion, one major housing success story is already unfolding: the Wellings of Winchester, a 500-unit 55-plus rental community. The development offers maintenance-free living, a clubhouse with fitness and games rooms, and plenty of opportunities for social connection.

“People are coming from as far as New Brunswick and BC,” Mayor Fraser notes. “They find community here quickly. One man told me he’d lived in Toronto for years without knowing his neighbours. In North Dundas, he’d made friends in just a few months.”

This is part of a larger continuum of care in North Dundas. Seniors can move from independent living at Wellings to retirement living at Garden Villa in Chesterville, and finally to long-term care at Dundas Manor, all without leaving the township.

“You can be born here, go to school here, work here, retire here, and receive care here,” Mayor Fraser says. “You don’t have to leave the people you’ve known your whole life.”

Celebrating rural heritage

Tourism in North Dundas is rooted in the land. Mountain Orchards is a seasonal magnet for visitors, offering apple picking, cider, and its legendary hot apple cider donuts. Local apiaries open their wildflower and sunflower fields to the public, creating experiences that blend agriculture, recreation, and education.

“My wife and I have been to Mountain Orchards, and I tell people, it’s like Wonderland in Mountain Village,” Mayor Fraser says. “The proximity to Ottawa makes it an easy day trip for families.”

Building spaces for play and connection

Recreation opportunities are expanding alongside infrastructure. In Hallville, the township is developing a large multi-use park with a splash pad, outdoor rink, walking trails, pickleball and basketball courts, and outdoor exercise equipment. The project, estimated at just under $3 million, is designed for all ages.

“It’s going to be multi-age, multi-use, multi-functional,” Mayor Fraser says. “A place for fresh air, recreation, and community.”

Smaller neighbourhood parks are also a priority. The new Marilyn Vriend Memorial Park in Winchester, dedicated in honour of a local developer’s late wife, is a testimony to community collaboration and the township’s commitment to green space.

Keeping the momentum flowing

For the next 18–24 months, Mayor Fraser’s number one focus is crystal clear: securing provincial funding to expand North Dundas’s water infrastructure. Without this critical investment, the township’s ambitious growth plans—spanning residential, commercial, and industrial development—cannot fully move forward. The need is both practical and urgent.

“If a community is not able to grow, it just goes backwards,” he says. “As expenses rise, we need to increase our tax base to provide quality services. The water infrastructure challenge is becoming more urgent. We’re ready to grow, the developers are ready, and the province has said it wants growth. Now we need the support to make it happen.”

The stakes go far beyond new homes. Expanded water capacity would unlock hundreds of housing units already in the planning pipeline, accommodate key employers like Lactalis Canada, and support the growing healthcare hub anchored by the Winchester District Memorial Hospital and the new long-term care facility. It would also allow North Dundas to attract additional industries and expand recreational and public amenities without overburdening existing ratepayers.

Mayor Fraser stresses that the township’s advocacy isn’t about asking for luxuries, it’s about ensuring the basic infrastructure is in place to keep the community sustainable. “If we can’t expand our water systems, it limits everything else,” he says. “We can’t grow our economy, we can’t bring in more families, and we can’t fully capitalize on our location and strengths. That’s why this is the challenge of the moment, and we’re not taking our foot off the gas.”

Growing together with purpose

North Dundas is at a pivotal point in its story. The township’s agricultural heritage, strong community bonds, and small-town charm remain central to its identity. Yet its ambitions, expanding infrastructure, attracting investment, and welcoming new residents, signal a readiness to embrace change.

“We’re demonstrating that we’re open for business,” Mayor Fraser says. “We’re listening to our residents, we’re working with our industries, and we’re making sure North Dundas is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.”

At A Glance

Who: North Dundas, Ontario

What: A close-knit rural community known for its agricultural heritage, vibrant small-town spirit, and strong sense of neighbourly connection.

Where: Eastern Ontario, situated between Ottawa and the St. Lawrence River.

Website: https://www.northdundas.com/