East Hawkesbury Township is part of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, Ontario.
- Limited at the eastern part by the Quebec province border and at 90 kilometers from Montreal;
- The southern boundary of the township is limited by the Township of North Glengarry;
- Limited at the western part by the Township of Champlain;
- The North boundary of the Township is the Ottawa River.
The territory spread over 239.5 km2 is mostly agricultural and rural.
The Township was incorporated effective January 1, 1850 under the terms of the Baldwin Act, Chapter 81, Canada Statutes, 1849.
This act provided for the creation of municipal governments at the town, village and township levels and identified those which would automatically be granted municipal status when the act came into effect, January 1, 1850. Communities not named in the original act could petition the county or legislative assembly for incorporation on reaching specified population levels.
An incorporated township, lower tier municipality, has a council consisting of an elected Reeve, Deputy Reeves, and councillors the number of which depend on the population of the township. Its responsibilities relate largely to the upkeep of the local road system and the delivery of services such as water and sewage. It has wide powers relating to the regulation of land and local administration through by-laws. It has the power to raise money through direct taxation on land and through the use of debentures.
The first Session was held on January 21st, 1850 in Leroy School House on Lot 26, 5th Concession.
