More than 12 million Canadian adults participate in recreational boating every year, but preventable accidents continue to result in injuries and fatalities on the water. To help improve safety, Transport Canada is supporting education and awareness initiatives that promote safe boating practices and behaviours on the water.
Today, as part of the North American Safe Boating Awareness Week, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, announced a call for proposals under the Boating Safety Contribution Program. This program supports organizations that:
- promote safe boating practices, behaviour, and knowledge
- improve access to national boating safety data
- help reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage from boating accidents
According to data from the Drowning Prevention Research Centre Canada, approximately 90 people die each year in recreational boating accidents in Canada, with the majority associated with power boating and canoeing. Given these findings, the program will prioritize proposals that address these higher-risk activities, as well as initiatives that promote lifejacket use, youth education, and outreach to hunters and anglers.
Through our Boating Safety Contribution Program, Transport Canada supports organizations in delivering education, awareness and outreach initiatives that promote safe boating practices and behaviours, helping reduce risks on the water and prevent injuries and drownings across Canada.
