Series consists of records pertaining to the canals administered by the Department of Transport and its predecessor agencies which were transferred to the jurisdiction of Parks Canada in 1972. These include the Trent, Rideau, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Murray, Carillon, St. Ours, Chambly, Beauharnois and St. Peters, as well as the Grenville and Chignecto canals.
The records consist of registry files organized under the subject file classification plan for Transport Canada's former Canal Division (4000 file block series). The files relate to the various operational and administrative activities of this Division, and include subjects such as bridges and tunnels; buildings and dwellings; locks, gates and dams; weirs and reaches; marine railways; rights-of-way, boundaries and encroachments; roads, walks and highways; leases; sale and disposition; construction and maintenance; wharves and docks; surveys and canal operations. The "4000" file block was re-allocated to other operational records of the Department upon the transfer of responsibility for canal administration to Parks Canada.
The following examples illustrate the type of records found in this series. Volumes 3594-3669 (1825-1976) contain files concerning bridges and tunnels and the construction, maintenance and repairs of bathing beaches, culverts and drains, dams and weirs, diving equipment, electrical plants and ferries, locks and gates, retaining walls and piers, and wharves and docks. Also included are files on canal surveys, proposed canal operations, rules and regulations. Volumes 3670-3692 (1866-1976) contain files dealing with the construction, maintenance and repair of bridges and tunnels, buildings and dwellings, locks and dams, weirs, reaches, marine railways, retaining walls and piers. Volumes 3693-3743 (1809-1971) contain files pertaining to rights of way and concern boundaries, encroachments, land damages, lease of land, leases of water power and supply roads, walks and highways, and sale and dispositions. Volumes 3744-3850 (1841-1977) contain files dealing with right of way matters and cover subjects such as land and buildings, purchase and appropriations; roads, walks and highways. Also included is a large series of files on sale and disposition. Volume 3673 (1874-1923) consists of a registry file relating to the diversion of the Great Western Railway line under the Welland Canal between locks 18 and 19 (subject file 4052-358).
Series also includes the following visual material: RG12M 78903/95 consists of plans of a tugboat, a dump-scow and the dredging vessel, Rideau; RG12M 756/15430 consists of a profile of the Richelieu River between Chambly and St. Ours, ca. 1840; RG12M 756/15431 consists of a section of the Richelieu River, from Francher's wharf to St. Ours wharf, ca. 1840; RG12M 756/15457 consists of maps of sections of the Richelieu River between Sorel and Chambly, ca. 1830, drawn by P. Fleming; and RG12M 78903/40 consists of two plans connected with hydraulic measurements and the Welland Canal.