Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) and Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) have been in dialogue with Transport Canada regarding the consultation on the Mandatory Wearing of Personal Floatation Devices & Lifejackets which is currently underway (and will close November 4, 2024, details below). RCA and CKC have been provided the opportunity to put forward a position to Transport Canada following the close of this public consultation.
Individuals are encouraged to review of the background information and consultation which can be accessed through Transport Canada’s Let’s Talk Transportation online platform.
RCA and CKC and have prepared the draft statement below that will be provided to Transport Canada on this topic, specifically with respect to the exceptions that we currently have regarding the Small Vessel Regulations Act around training and competition.
Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) and Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) have the safety of our participants as our top priority. Both organizations have been able to ensure that all sanctioned activities, formal training, or competitions follow the safety requirements under the current exemptions allowed for in the Small Vessell Regulations (Part 2, Subpart 5: Exceptions for Human-Powered Pleasure Craft) with excellent safety records. We believe that these exceptions should be continued to allow for our organizations to ensure the safety of our participants as well as the highest quality sporting experience from grassroots to high performance.
RCA and CKC would like to engage our collective membership in two feedback opportunities regarding this topic:
- The first is to call on our members to give feedback and add to our position statement above that will be presented to Transport Canada at the close of their consultation process. To this end, we have created the following survey as a collective feedback opportunity for both memberships to help bolster the joint position that RCA and CKC will present to Transport Canada following the deadlines below.
- The second opportunity is through Transport Canada who have also provided for individual public feedback on these updates through their own survey which can also be accessed on the Transport Canada platform Let’s Talk Transportation, as mentioned above.
Action items and dates are summarized below. Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.
Important Information
- Small Vessel Regulations Subpart 5 https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2010-91/page-4.html#h-769717
- Safe Boating Guide (pg 20) https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2024-03/tp_511e.pdf
- Transport Canada Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/VFZGJVC
- Transport Canada Let’s Talk Transportation Consultation Site: link