I see Québec plates everywhere in and around Ottawa. Yesterday I paddled from Shirley's Bay to Aylmer (90 minutes round trip), no sign of restrictions. And a half-dozen fishing boats, plus a few other canoes/kayaks. Just came back from bike ride in Gatineau park (biked over 2 different interprovincial bridges). No sign of restrictions. Things are easing off, and definitely so in rural areas. So IMHO no problem to do middle channel. Worst case, Québec people stick river left, Ontario people river right...
--C.