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As part of the ongoing efforts to promote recreational boating safety and regulatory advancements in Canada, the NMMA Canada’s executive director, Marie-France MacKinnon, attended the Canadian Marine Advisory Council (CMAC) meeting in Ottawa last week alongside the provincial marine trade association, Boating BC, Boating Ontario, and Nautisme Quebec.

Chaired by Honey Walsh, representing Marine Safety and Security at Transport Canada (TC), and co-chaired by John Gullick from the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, the meeting addressed a comprehensive agenda covering various aspects of recreational boating.

Regulatory updates took center stage during the meeting, with Transport Canada leading discussions on Small Vessel Regulations, PCL, and upcoming safety amendments, as well as insights on regulatory developments on Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR 2021 submission). Presentations were also made by Transport Canada on the VORR Modernization, an initiative that is closing on December 11th. The meeting further explored emerging issues, with Geoffrey Tasker discussing Mandatory Wear and Heidi Craswell addressing Long-Term Anchoring.

Rick Layzell, representing Boating Ontario, presented the Boating Safety Contribution Project, Safety is Simple, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting safety within the boating community.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) provided a comprehensive overview of the Aquatic Invasive Species National Core Program and the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations, shedding light on efforts to preserve aquatic ecosystems.

The participation of the NMMA Canada in these discussions underscores the commitment of the organization to actively engage with regulatory bodies and contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance recreational boating safety in Canada.

Contact Marie-France MacKinnon, Executive Director of NMMA Canada, with questions at [email protected] or visit nmma.ca for more information.