7.5 kW Limit for Electric Boat Motors

Summary#

The federal government finalized changes to the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations that limit how powerful electric motors can be on certain waters. Electric propulsion on a vessel cannot exceed 7.5 kW where power-driven vessels are already banned, and many map coordinates and place names in the schedules were corrected. These changes came into force on November 23, 2020.

What it does#

• Changes subsection 2(3) so that no person may operate a power‑driven vessel or a vessel with electrical propulsion that has an aggregate maximum power greater than 7.5 kW in the waters listed in Schedule 3, except where the schedule says otherwise.
• Amends signage rules (subsection 9(1)) to add a new symbol: a propeller with an electrical plug plus a number and “MAX kW” to show the allowed electric power limit at specific locations.
• Fixes or updates geographical coordinates and place names in many parts of the schedules. The regulatory note says corrections were made for 2 bodies of water in Saskatchewan; 10 in Ontario; 31 in Quebec; and 3 in British Columbia.
• Confirms the amendments take effect on the day the regulations were registered (see November 23, 2020).

Who's affected#

• Boaters who use electric outboard or inboard motors, especially those with motors more powerful than 7.5 kW.
• Local authorities, park agencies and enforcement officers who manage or police the waters listed in Schedule 3.
• Recreational users of the specific lakes, rivers and shore zones that had coordinates corrected in the schedules.
• It is unclear from the text whether boat manufacturers or rental operators will be directly affected beyond users who bring higher-powered electric motors onto the listed waters.

Why it matters#

• The rule closes a gap created by stronger modern electric motors. Without the change, high‑power electric boats could have been allowed where similar gasoline-powered boats are banned.
• For people who own or rent boats with electric motors above 7.5 kW, this may mean they can no longer use those motors on certain lakes, rivers or shore zones — a direct loss of some recreational options in those places.
• The new signs with a “MAX kW” symbol should make it clearer to boaters what is allowed and help enforcement officers apply the limits.
• Corrected coordinates reduce confusion about exactly which waters are covered, which helps safety and enforcement and may reduce mistaken calls for help or enforcement.
• Enforcement tools include education, warnings and fines; the Contraventions Regulations set specific fines for violations up to $500.