Saturday, March 12, 2011

TC Vessel Registration Update

A few weeks ago I wrote about the new regulations from Transport Canada regarding the registration of canoes & kayaks. Well, it seems that they have backpedaled (back paddled?) just a bit from the earlier registration requirements.

At the Transport Canada Procedures for Registration of Small Non-Pleasure Vessels in Canada web page, there is a link that reads "Note for human-powered non-pleasure vessels (e.g. canoes or kayaks)." Following the link brings you to a page which includes the following statement:
Note: Transport Canada is currently reviewing the Vessel Registration and Tonnage Regulations for human-powered non-pleasure vessels and examining the feasibility of exemptions for certain groups, so that registration is sensible, efficient and fair for all Canadian boaters.
So, it would seem that everything is on hold for the moment until they get things sorted out.  It looks like the efforts of Ralph, Alan, and numerous other folks at the forums of MyCCR.com and WestCoastPaddler.com have been effective in bringing this issue and their concerns to the fore. They seem to have gotten the attention of not only the media, but also the Minister of Transportation. However, that doesn't mean that the issue is done with, not yet.

4 comments:

  1. I'm going to have to follow up on this regulation. I wonder what I would have to do if I bring my kayak in from the States?

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  2. Hi Tractor,
    It would seem for the moment that you need not do anything until a decision is made in the next month or two. And then, it likely only affects you if you are guiding or teaching lessons while in your kayak.
    Cheers,
    Bryan

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  3. Thanks Pawistik. Similar regulations are discussed here in the States. Luckily (or unluckily),as this tends to be a state issue, not a federal issue, it tends to get knocked down. It is always a difficult issue to pass, especially if there are shared waterways, like Lake Champlain which I regularly paddle.

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  4. It's intresting they classified canoes and kayak's as 'non-pleasure' vessels. Unless I read it wrong. Do they think using a canoe paddle is punishment?

    But if that's the case then does the goverment think people are still using them 100% for commercial goods transport?

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