Government of Canada launches North American Safe Boating Awareness Week with new funding for boating safety projects

OTTAWA, May 15, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, today announced $667,000 in funding for eleven boating safety awareness projects under Transport Canada's Boating Safety Contribution Program (BSCP) over the next three years. This funding is additional to the $1.8 million announced under the BSCP in 2013 for projects that began in the 2013 boating season.

The BSCP aims to increase the number of pleasure craft operators who follow safe boating practices, improve the availability of national boating incident data to enhance awareness and education initiatives, and reduce loss of life, injuries and property damage due to boating accidents. It provides funding of up to 75 per cent of the total eligible cost of a project.

In addition, the Minister announced a call for application under the BSCP for additional education and awareness projects that promote safe boating practices which would start in the 2015 boating season. Applications will be accepted until October 15, 2014.

North American Safe Boating Awareness Week 2014, which is taking place from May 17 to 23, promotes a wide range of safe boating practices to the estimated 10 million recreational boaters in Canada.

Quick Facts

• On average, 100 boating fatalities happen annually on Canadian waters. About 90 per cent of people who drown in recreational boating incidents are not wearing a lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD). If you remember only one thing about boating safety, it should be to always wear your lifejacket or PFD when on or near the water. It could save your life!
• In Canada, all recreational boats with a motor of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more must have a pleasure craft licence. It is the law.
• If you're operating a motorized boat in Canada, you need to carry a proof of competency and a piece of personal identification.
• Don't cruise with booze! Impaired driving, whether on land or water, is illegal and punishable under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Quote

"The Government of Canada remains committed to working with its partners and stakeholders to advance boating safety awareness and promote the importance of following safe boating practices across the country. Together, we are making our waterways safer and working to reduce boating fatalities and injuries."

The Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport

Related Products

• Backgrounder: 2014-2015 Recipients under the Boating Safety Contribution Program
• Boating Safety Contribution Program - Applicant's Guide

Associated Links

• North American Safe Boating Awareness Week
• Boating Safety Contribution Program
• Office of Boating Safety

Backgrounder
2014-2015 Recipients under the Boating Safety Contribution Program

Northwest Territories Recreation and Parks Association        
www.nwtrpa.org

The Northwest Territories Recreation and Parks Association (NWTRPA) has been approved to receive a contribution of up to $71,212 towards their three-year project.

Under the scope of their project, the NWTRPA will conduct research to understand boating safety behaviours and practices in the Northwest Territories and develop an intervention program that will be integrated in selected communities.

Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot           
www.acrd.bc.ca

The Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot has been approved to receive a contribution of up to $74,362 towards their three-year project.

The Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot's project is a continuation of the Sproat Lake Boating Safety Awareness Program. It focuses on delivering a boating safety awareness program directed at local youth, local boating safety community and tourists who visit Sproat Lake, B.C.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada         
www.madd.ca

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada has been approved to receive a contribution of up to $212,511 for their three-year project.

MADD Canada's project includes installing signs in various locations across Canada advising Canadians to contact 9-1-1 if they see drinking and boating activity, producing public service announcements with an emphasis on impaired boating and collecting data on boaters' attitudes and behaviours toward impaired boating and the impact of the call 9-1-1 signs.

National Marine Manufacturers Association        
www.nmma.org

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has been approved to receive a contribution of up to $87,225 for their three-year project.

The NMMA's project is a national hands-on skills training program designed to attract a broad base of the recreational boating community.

Safe Quiet Lakes                   
www.safequiet.ca

The Safe Quiet Lakes has been approved to receive a contribution of up to $22,800 for their one-year project.

The Safe Quiet Lakes project will increase the intensity of communicating safe boating practices throughout the community through education and awareness.

Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association  
www.lhafa.org

The Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association (LHAFA) has been approved to receive a contribution of up to $26,300 for their one-year project.

The LHAFA project focuses on raising the profile for safe boating within the Upper Lake Melville area, targeting primarily the hunting community within central Labrador.

Conseil de gestion du bassin versant de la rivière Restigouche          
www.restigouche.org

The Conseil de gestion du bassin versant de la rivière Restigouche has been approved to receive a contribution of up to $25,600 for their two-year project.

The Conseil de gestion du bassin versant de la rivière Restigouche's project aims to increase knowledge of the Restigouche river users and its tributaries on the elements of water safety.

Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association       
www.saskregionalparks.ca

The Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association has been approved to receive a contribution of up to $16,500 for their one-year project.

The Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association project will educate boaters who visit 60 regional parks across Saskatchewan for recreational boating purposes.

Police Service of the Conglomeration of Longueuil             
www.longueuil.ca/en/police

The Police Service of the Conglomeration of Longueuil has been approved to receive a contribution of up to $66,376 for their one-year project.

The Police Service of the Conglomeration of Longueuil project is a prevention, education and awareness program which involves on-water and land-based activities in, and around, the south shore of Montreal.

Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association        
www.orcka.ca

The Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association (ORCKA) has been approved to receive a contribution of up to $31,575 for their two-year program.

ORCKA's project will produce, distribute and present a set of instructional DVDs and supporting instructional materials related to safe canoeing and kayaking practices.

Canadian Power Sails Squadrons                 
www.cps-ecp.ca

The Canadian Power Sails Squadrons (CPS) has been approved to receive a contribution of up to $31,890 for their one-year program.

CPS's project will provide education and awareness on safety equipment, the care and maintenance of that equipment and how to safely and effectively use flares.  They will also organize and deliver flare disposal events where individuals will have the opportunity to return outdated flares.

May 2014

SOURCE: Transport Canada

Ashley Kelahear
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

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