The proposed changes will…

The proposed changes will have a significant and unaddressed impact on recreational boaters, particularly the provision which will limit where they can anchor i.e."adding a new condition to prohibit camping on water within 300 meters of a developed shoreline, including any waterfront structure, dock, boathouse, erosion control structure, altered shoreline, boat launch and/or fill". The language in the Regulatory Impact Analysis speaks mostly of houseboats e.g. " We anticipate that the proposal to prohibit camping on water within 300 meters of the shoreline of a waterfront property with a building or structure may have a potential impact on some houseboat rental users that camp near developed areas". Houseboat renters and responsible owners of recreational boats, particularly sailing vessels, should NOT be considered as within the same stakeholder category. Such boaters are generally very conscious of environmental impacts and respectful of the ecosystem as well as waterfront property owners. Associations who represent recreational boaters e.g. Ontario Sailing , Boating Ontario Association, and others, should be consulted and the Regulatory Impact Analysis expanded to address impacts on this stakeholder group. I maintain that recreational boaters have no more impact on the ecosystem than waterfront cottage owners.