Our Canal: The Rideau Canal in Ottawa

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Residents of and visitors to Ottawa will welcome this pictorial
introduction to the most famous canal in Canada.

The Rideau Canal was built for potential military purposes in the early
1800s and was instrumental in Ottawa being designated as the capital of
Canada. Although never actually used by the military, it rapidly became
of commercial importance, a role it served throughout the next century.
Today, it is the recreational centrepiece of the city.

A brief eight-page history of this engineering masterpiece is followed
by nearly 100 photos, slightly more than half of which are archival. The
remaining photos are predominantly Conroy’s own work. They capture the
mood and personality of the canal in all seasons.

Conroy’s photographic skills range from the documenting of the
pleasant scene before him to shots that succeed as interpretive art. His
respect for the canal is apparent in his selection of lighting and
composition. He always presents the canal at this best and most
flattering.

As a local history, Our Canal is a lightweight; nonetheless, it will
find a prominent place on Ottawa coffee tables.