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Why did permanent settlement begin on the south bank of the Ottawa River during the War of 1812?

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Permanent settlement on the south bank of the Ottawa River began following the War of 1812 due to the strategic vulnerability of the St. Lawrence River.1

During the conflict, it became clear that the section of the St. Lawrence between Montreal and Kingston was highly susceptible to attack, as it served as a primary military and economic supply route bordering the United States. To secure a safer interior connection, the British proposed the construction of the Rideau Canal, which would divert transportation traffic up the Ottawa River and through the canal to Kingston.12

In 1826, Lieutenant Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers was tasked with overseeing the canal's construction. He surveyed and laid out a town site on the south bank to house himself and his workers. This settlement, initially known as Bytown, eventually developed into the city of Ottawa.12