The Government of Canada is responding to the requests of local communities by making the regulatory process for navigable waters easier and more efficient, improving water safety and reducing the impacts of navigation on waterways.
Today, the Minister of National Revenue, Marie-Claude Bibeau, accompanied by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pascale St-Onge, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Élisabeth Brière, on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant, Pablo Rodriguez, announced the streamlining of the process for all orders of government, including municipalities, for asking the federal government to restrict the use of boats on lakes and rivers.
Minister Bibeau announced that the Minister of Transport now has the authority to issue interim orders, and that municipalities and Indigenous communities can avail themselves of this power. This new ministerial authority stems from a legislative amendment that received royal assent on June 22, 2023. This authority is in place to facilitate the process, pending the longer-term revision of the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR).
The Minister also announced the launch of two consultations, one to modernize the process established in the VORR, and the other to better mark long-term anchored vessels, such as floating accommodations. Transport Canada is seeking input through these consultations, available online on the Let's Talk Transportation website, from provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, cities, municipalities and the public to find solutions that will enable them to play a greater role in the management and regulation of their waterways.
