Comment
This proposal will have a profound effect on boat owners who enjoy cruising the Great Lakes and other popular cruising grounds in Ontario by greatly restricting the number of anchorages available.
The waterways and lakes of this province are not privately owned by adjacent land owners and the Government of this Province has no right to restrict access outside of the Shipping Act.
This piece of legislation will deny boat owners access to safe anchorages and increase risk through the application of the 300m approach limit to shore. This forces recreational boaters into deeper water with poorer holding and more exposure to adverse weather for overnight anchoring.
Property owners on lakes and rivers do not own the anchorages. Citizens and taxpayers and guests to our Province should have the right to safely anchor and enjoy their boats.
If you are trying to break up a homeless encampment that floats and offends property owners, find some other way.
If you are concerned about illegal discharge into waterways, go after that problem like you did in the 1980's and start inspecting boats for proper sanitation systems.*
If you are concerned about weekend party boats anchoring and disturbing property owners, use noise by-laws and alcohol and drug laws.
There are thousands of responsible boat owners who have spent significant amounts of money on their recreational craft and have paid provincial taxes on the purchase, maintenance and storage of their boats that just want to spend several or many pleasant nights at anchor in Ontario's waterways.
* It is time to have regulations and government sponsored low cost pump-out availability in Ontario to encourage compliance. New York State has a number of "free" or very low cost (coin operated) pump out facilities. This should not be left up to private marina owners who gouge the market.
Submitted March 7, 2023 8:48 PM
Comment on
Proposal to amend Ontario Regulation 161/17 to the Public Lands Act to change the requirements related to floating accommodations
ERO number
019-6590
Comment ID
82920
Commenting on behalf of
Comment status