Vessel operation restrictions updated

Summary#

This is a proposal from Transport Canada to change the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. If adopted, it would expand the kinds of activities that can get permits, add a few new local boating restrictions (including parts of the Don River, Portage Lake and the Richelieu River), authorize some city peace officers to enforce the rules, and correct mapping details. Comments were open for 30 days after publication (until July 12, 2021); the department expected the rules to come into force in winter 2022 if approved.

What it does#

• Expands what permits can be issued for. New permitted purposes would include:
  • access to historical, cultural, ecological or geological sites;
  • supporting the construction and maintenance of infrastructure.
• Adds a clear list of factors the Minister must consider before issuing a permit, such as public interest, environmental protection, vessel type and waterway characteristics.
• Introduces three specific new local restrictions:
  • Don River (Toronto): ban on power-driven and electric vessels in a new naturalized channel, with one small dredging exemption for local-authority work.
  • Portage Lake (Sainte‑Paule, Quebec): a maximum speed of 10 km/h within 100 metres of shore.
  • Richelieu River (Quebec): a 10 km/h speed limit on a 20 km stretch and a ban on towing people or wake‑surfing (no permitted hours).
• Allows the designation of municipal peace officers in the City of Edmonton to enforce the Regulations.
• Fixes mapping errors and geographic coordinates for a number of locations across several provinces (administrative corrections).

Who's affected#

• Local governments and authorities that asked for the restrictions, including the City of Toronto, Sainte‑Paule, and communities along the Richelieu River.
• Recreational boaters and water-sports users in the affected areas (who would face new speed or activity limits).
• Small businesses that might need permits to operate in restricted waters (estimated 11 businesses affected).
• The federal government — Transport Canada — which estimated administrative review costs of $30,516 over 2021–2030.
• Local authorities responsible for signage, enforcement and outreach, estimated to bear $185,770 in compliance costs over 2021–2030.
• Applicants (individuals and businesses) who would face an estimated combined administrative cost of $17,598 over 2021–2030 to prepare permit applications.
• Overall estimated total cost of the proposal: $233,884 from 2021 to 2030 (broken down above).
• Enforcement officers in the City of Edmonton who could be newly authorized to enforce these rules.

Why it matters#

• It would make it easier for legitimate activities — like doing repair work, accessing heritage or ecological sites, or carrying out scientific work — to get permission to enter areas that are normally closed to motorized traffic.
• The local restrictions aim to reduce shoreline erosion, protect fragile habitats (the Don River proposal cites species-at-risk turtles), and improve safety by slowing boats and restricting towing/wake activities.
• Adding clear permit‑review factors is meant to make decisions more consistent and transparent, and to reduce safety or environmental risks from poorly managed exceptions.
• Designating municipal peace officers in Edmonton would give local authorities more capacity to enforce rules on their waters.
• The geographic corrections make the restricted areas easier to find and enforce on maps and charts.

Note: this was a proposed amendment published for comment. It was not law at the time of publication.