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Our boats might be out of the water, but the team at Safe Quiet Lakes has been
busy this winter getting ready for the year ahead. We have big plans and goals on
our mission to promote safe, quiet and respectful boating through education,
advocacy and legislative change. Here’s a taste:
MORE ENGAGEMENT
Get to know us better: We’ve made big strides modernizing our systems. Our
new website is a great place to stay informed of our initiatives, like decibels and
wakes, see lake survey results, find important resources, watch our videos or
webinars, and much more. Write to us and tell us what you think of it and how we
can improve.
Help us get to know YOU better: Our centralized, private and confidential
database of SQL stakeholders forms the backbone for keeping you directly
informed of the latest issues, accomplishments and strategies driving SQL’s
actions. In the next few weeks you will receive an email asking you to provide us
with a few more details so we may serve you better and deliver the information
that matters to you. As always, your responses are optional and confidential.
MORE RESULTS
Regulations on excessive boat motor noise are coming: In November, the Decibel
Coalition attended in-person Transport Canada CMAC meetings in Ottawa, where
Transport Canada made it clear they are actively engaged in creating decibel
regulations for both boat manufacturers and operators – a major win for the
Decibel Coalition.
In private meetings with Transport Canada, Decibel Coalition co-chairs Rob
Bosomworth and Nancy Croitoru expressed concerns on timing -- regulations are
expected to come into force by 2025. Meantime, the Decibel Coalition is meeting
with law enforcement agencies across Canada and the U.S. to learn and share
best practices for enforcement of new decibel regulations. The Decibel Coalition
will be participating in the upcoming Spring CMAC meetings. Stay tuned!
MORE ADVOCACY
SQL supports Transport Canada’s proposed Wakesurfing VORR: Transport
Canada has opened a consultation process on a proposed VORR amendment
providing for specific and separate rules for wakesurfing. VORRs (Vessel
Operation Restriction Regulations) provide municipalities with a process for
restricting boating activities in certain or all parts of a body of water. The 5km
speed restriction on the Muskoka River is one example of a VORR. Currently,
wakesurfing is included in the same restriction as all tow sports. We all love
watersports and boating, but some activities like wakesurfing need to be
restricted in certain areas. Amended regulations will enable municipalities to
protect specific areas from the impacts of excessive wakes without restricting
other tow sports. SQL has responded to Transport Canada and we will have more
to share soon.
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