There's far too much cold and ice for boating now, but there are some rule changes boaters should be aware of before the warmer weather arrives.
Amendments have been made to the Small Vessel Regulations in a bid to modernize Canada's pleasure craft licensing program and database.
As of December 31, new and renewed pleasure craft licences will only be valid for five years. Lifetime licences will gradually be replaced with licences that need renewal.
A new $24 service fee will be applied to issuing, renewing, transferring, or replacing a Pleasure Craft Licence, and the fee will be updated each year for inflation.
Licence holders need to update their information within 30 days of a name or address change. Previously, the window was 90 days.
The Pleasure Craft Licence is for vessels that have one or more engines with a combined power of at least 10 horsepower.
The licence allows emergency responders and law enforcement to quickly identify the owner of a boat, improving response times in urgent situations.
"Recreational boating is part of who we are as Canadians, and it's essential that our safety system keeps pace with the way people use our waterways," said Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon. "By modernizing the pleasure craft licensing program, we're strengthening marine safety, improving environmental protection, and ensuring we have accurate information when it matters most."
There are approximately 12 million boaters licensed in Canada.
