Boating rules: engine limits and wake surfing

Summary#

This is a proposed set of changes from Transport Canada to the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations. The changes, published on June 17, 2023, would give local authorities more options to limit boat engine power, create a separate rule just for wake surfing, update signage rules, add 21 new local restrictions on six waterways, and clarify some enforcement and exemption details. Comments on the proposal were open for 60 days after publication.

What it does#

• Allows local authorities to set engine power limits on any body of water (removes the existing rule that limited that option to parks and “controlled access” waters).
• Makes explicit that people with federal fishing licences are treated the same as those with provincial fishing permits for the purpose of exemptions.
• Adds a clear exemption so Indigenous peoples can exercise rights recognized under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, even where a local restriction applies.
• Removes the technical sign details from the regulations and instead incorporates Transport Canada’s sign guidance (TP 15400E) by reference so it can be updated without changing the regulations.
• Takes wake surfing out of the broad “all towing activities” rule and creates a separate schedule (Schedule 7.1) so authorities can ban wake surfing without banning waterskiing or tubing.
• Introduces 21 new, location-specific restrictions on six bodies of water:
  • Big Tub Harbour (Ontario): expands a vessel prohibition area and sets a 10 km/h speed limit in parts of the harbour.
  • Richelieu River (Quebec): bans power-driven vessels in a stretch, sets near‑shore speed limits of 10 km/h (and 50 km/h further out in one segment), and restricts towing/wake surfing in specific zones and hours (e.g. except 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in one segment).
  • Saint‑Maurice River (Quebec): sets speed limits of 10 km/h and 5 km/h on different short segments.
  • Duhamel Lake (Quebec): sets a 10 km/h limit within 60 m of shore, 30 km/h elsewhere, and bans towing and wake surfing at all times.
  • Pinawa Channel and Lee River (Manitoba): limits towing and bans wake surfing in specified narrow sections and times (e.g. towing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in part of Pinawa Channel; some wake surfing bans apply at all times).
• Designates enforcement officers employed by the Windsor Port Authority so they can enforce local restrictions within port limits.
• Fixes a few administrative errors, such as incorrect geographic coordinates.

Note: wake-surfing prohibitions created by the new schedule would not be ticketable until corresponding changes are made to the Contraventions Regulations.

Who's affected#

• Local governments and agencies that manage lakes and rivers. They can now request engine‑power limits and specific wake‑surfing bans.
• Recreational boaters, especially people who wake surf or use high‑powered boats on the named waterways. Some activities and areas would become off‑limits or have lower speed limits.
• Businesses that offer towing services (e.g., wake‑boat operators) near the affected waters — some may lose hours or locations where they can operate.
• Residents near the affected waterways who may see less wake, noise, and shoreline erosion — or less boat activity for recreation.
• Indigenous peoples: the proposal explicitly preserves exemptions for exercising constitutionally protected rights.
• Enforcement bodies, including the Windsor Port Authority and local police/special constables, who would take on or clarify new enforcement duties.
• Transport Canada and local authorities would face some up‑front costs for reviewing applications, installing signs and buoys, and public communications.

Why it matters#

• Practical tools for local safety and shoreline protection: the changes give communities better-targeted options (engine power limits, wake‑surf only bans, and precise speed limits) to reduce dangerous wakes, shoreline erosion, and boat-user conflicts.
• Real effects on recreation: people who wake surf or run higher‑powered boats on the named waterways could lose access or face stricter speed limits. That can change weekend plans and local businesses that depend on towing sports.
• Faster updates to signs: moving technical sign rules into a Transport Canada guide means signage standards can be updated more quickly without redoing the regulations.
• Small but real costs: Transport Canada estimates total implementation costs of about $3.17 million over 2024–2033, of which roughly $3.01 million would fall on affected local stakeholders and about $0.16 million on the federal government. Local authorities will pay for most signage, buoys and communications for the new restrictions.
• This is a proposal, not yet law. The Canada Gazette notice invited public comment (for 60 days from publication), and details such as enforcement fines for wake surfing need separate changes before ticketing can begin.