Rural Market Insights – Crysler Ontario Growth Concerns and Considerations

Crysler’s rapid growth raises several concerns.

The major development north of the river is progressing quickly, with phase two set to begin soon. Earlier this year, another subdivision in Crysler received approval; construction has not started yet. The former development is expected to add 250 new homes, while the second will add another 93 units. A parcel of farmland south of Station Road, zoned residential, has been sold for urban development, with no public details disclosed. Recently Council approved a 27-unit subdivision in nearby Finch which will connect to the same sewage lagoon system that serves Crysler.

If all these projects proceed, growth could exceed the projections used in recent water and sewer studies. This should be a red flag to North Stormont municipal authorities, as untethered growth in neighbouring communities have created significant burden on sewage processing capabilities in those areas.

Educational infrastructure is also under pressure from growth. The French Catholic school in Crysler is adding more portables, while no new English-language schools are planned for the area.

Commercial development faces constraints as well: the main business area lies within the historical floodplain, where development is discouraged and adequate water damage insurance is difficult to obtain. There is limited space elsewhere in the village for new businesses, although recently a new three unit “mall” has been under construction on the land above the floodplain, just north of the main Queen Street bridge over the South Nation River.

As a result of the dearth of shopping opportunities, residents tend to do their major shopping for both groceries and household goods on the way home from work in Ottawa where there is a wide variety of commercial goods available, or even in larger nearby Embrun. There are major stores in Casselman and while groceries, for example, are available at major stores there, like Embrun as well, the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables are not comparable to what you can obtain in Ottawa or Cornwall. With residents commuting or looking to larger nearby communities for major business needs, it seems likely that business growth will continue to lag behind population growth in Crysler.

Aesthetic concerns also exist. While many homes are well-maintained, a number of older properties remain in disrepair, particularly on the main streets, detracting from the village’s overall curb appeal.

Emergency fire services are delivered by qualified volunteer firefighters. Fire departments throughout the surrounding areas support one another, particularly for farm fires. Urban regions benefit from centralized services; however, there remains a necessary period to mobilize and assemble the fire response team. Within the urban community, though, fire hydrants are well distributed and insurance companies seem to be confident fires can be quickly and effectively tended to. Indeed, residential house insurance is lower in Crysler than in larger communities like Ottawa.

Ambulance service is efficient, though qualified attendants serve a broad region. These attendants, serving as first responders, are equipped to address a wide range of medical conditions. However, the primary facility for emergency deliveries is Winchester Hospital, located approximately 25 to 30 minutes away. Emergency time is critical, and living in a rural area may in fact be riskier due to the coverage area, but often, emergency service at the regional hospital can be handled quickly. It is a risk medically to live in a rural community, but given the state of healthcare elsewhere, the risk may not be as great as one might expect when comparing with more urban communities. Access to specialized care at the Winchester hospital for complicated emergency situations, though, is certainly a differentiator when compared to that offered in city hospitals.

The village features a Catholic Church, originally built when the parish population was significantly larger. In recent years, however, there has been a decline in congregation size, resulting in fewer masses being held. Meanwhile, residents of other denominations must travel elsewhere for worship.

While these concerns do not undermine Crysler’s numerous strengths, they underscore the importance of careful planning and well-informed decision-making for those contemplating residency in the village.