Located along one of the oldest trade routes in North America, the territory of the Town of Hawkesbury has long been a strategic location. It was formerly occupied by native groups for whom the Ottawa River was an important link between the Great Lakes and the northeastern portion of the continent.

With the arrival of Europeans, the islands in front of Hawkesbury were certainly deemed strategic emplacement for camps  on  the fur trade route. the birth of the Town occurred in the early 19th century. It was at this time that the first logging mills were established in Hawkesbury, an event that deeply marked the industrial use of the site and islands.

Even though Hawkesbury was recognized as an industrial and commercial center, it first-handedly felt the repercussions of the 1873 – 1878 economic crisis. Logging activities were gradually replaced by the pulp and paper industry during that time.

At the turn of the 20th century, small industries were replaced  by large players that increasingly dominated the labour market. The economic impact of the Great Depression in the 1930s was lessened by the construction of Pearly bridge that served as connector between Hawkesbury to the village of Grenville. this new strategic relationship between the  two  provinces  begat  an economic vitality which led to the town’s recognition a true regional center for trade and services.

The mid-20th century was marked by the construction of the Carillon dam and expropriation of an entire sector on the Chenail Island. Despite protests, the residents had no choice but to leave their land. At this point, the Town begins it southern expansion that includes new residential areas and an industrial park.

The last thirty years have inflicted a heavy blow to the local and regional economy. Hawkesbury witnessed the closure of several large companies including the Canadian International Paper (CIP) in 1983 and  Amoco,  in  the  early  2000s.  These  closures  were a setback not only to the local economy but also to the Town’s collective identity.

As a result, a greater economic diversification in the businesses operating in the industrial and services sector can be noted today.

Just like that of many first generation industrial towns, Hawkesbury’s history is punctuated by important events that had major impacts on local social and economic development scene. Nevertheless, the Town and its residents have demonstrated the ability to adapt. It is in this context of tradition and resilience to cope with change that this strategic planning exercise was conducted with the citizens of the Town of Hawkesbury.

If you want to know more, you can download the document published for the 150th birthday of the Town called 'Hawkesbury. 150 facts and memories'.

Who we are

The Environmental Service team is composed of several multidisciplinary certified operators, a quality control clerk and a Superintendent.

We are responsible for the operations of the Drinking Water Treatment Plant, the Drinking Water Distribution System and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Our service operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. 

Our engagement

We are engaged to:

• Provide safe and clean drinking water to all our citizens and customers,
• Maintain and continually improve our drinking water quality management system,
• Assure the effective treatment of wastewater, and
• Comply with all applicable drinking water and wastewater legislations and regulations.

Be proud to work for the Town of Hawkesbury

As any municipality, the Town of Hawkesbury offers a wide variety of jobs in different areas. Our job is to provide quality services to our 11,000 citizens. Each employee works in a healthy, safe, productive and harmonious environment.

We offer rewarding career opportunities, jobs that will take into account not only the improvement of your quality of life, but that of our entire community. Your work involvement will help your neighbors, local businesses and visitors, while helping make Hawkesbury one of the best cities of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell in which to live.

I choose to work for the Town of Hawkesbury

• To become involved in my community and contribute to its development
• To tackle stimulating challenges
• To benefit from attractive career prospects
• To evolve in an environment that promotes learning and development of expertise
• To enjoy competitive benefits
• To be part of a dynamic environment within a human scale

Become an employee of the Town

With some 200 permanent, casual and seasonal employees, the Town of Hawkesbury is one of the most important employers in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

What you should know

Criminal record check

You will be required to work with vulnerable groups of the population. Thus, all applicants must provide a criminal record vulnerable sector check on the day of the interview.

To obtain your criminal record check, you must contact your district police. It takes time, thus your request must be made well before the interview.

Documents required at hiring

The following documents must be presented on request:

• Social Insurance Card
• Driver’s License
• Health Insurance Card
• Criminal record check (dated no longer than 3 months prior to the date when it has been requested)
• Cancelled cheque (payroll is only done by direct deposit)
• Copies of Diplomas required mentioned in the job advertised (original documents must be scanned in color and sent with Resume)

Job Postings

Please note that if there are no job postings, there are no opportunities of employment for the moment.

In accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the information gathered is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 2001, c. M.25 and will be used to select a candidate.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the Corporation of the Town of Hawkesbury agrees to recognize the different needs and to provide an accessible place to all.

The masculine form is used without discrimination and refers also to the feminine form.