LONGUEUIL, QC, May 22, 2019 /CNW/ - Recreational boating is an activity practiced by many Canadians each year, and the Government of Canada takes their safety very seriously.
Given the importance of promoting boating safety best practices to as many Canadians as possible, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, accompanied by Sherry Romanado, Member of Parliament for Longueuil — Charles-LeMoyne, today announced more than $2.1 million of funding over the next four years under Transport Canada's Boating Safety Contribution Program. Eleven organizations across the country will use the funds to raise public awareness about recreational boating safety.
The Boating Safety Contribution Program helps Canadians stay safe on the water by providing up to $1 million every year to support recreational boating projects focused on the importance of following safe boating practices and on increasing national boating incident data.
This year's projects focus on education, awareness and research that aim to increase the number of pleasure craft operators following safe boating practices, reduce injuries, loss of life and property damage due to boating accidents, advance knowledge of boating safety issues, practices and behaviours in Canada, while supporting regulatory compliance.
The 2019-20 Boating Safety Contribution Program's recipients are as follows:
- Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District
- Bleu Massawippi
- Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons
- Municipalité de Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard
- Nautisme Québec
- Nova Scotia Community College
- Paddle Newfoundland Labrador
- Service national des sauveteurs
- Shuswap Lifeboat Society
- Shuswap Watershed Council
- University of Ottawa
More information on the 2019-20 Boating Safety Contribution Program recipients will be available in the coming weeks.
In addition, Transport Canada is now accepting applications for projects that will begin in 2020-2021. Interested applicants can visit the Transport Canada website for more information.
Quotes
"The North American Safe Boating Awareness Week is an excellent opportunity to remind Canadians of boating safety best practices. We are pleased to be working with our partners and stakeholders to provide Canadians with valuable information and education on boating safety, and the recipients of this year's Boating Safety Contribution Program will be of great help in spreading these messages throughout the year. "
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
"The Boating Safety Contribution Program allows some organizations, such as Nautisme Québec, to reach more Canadians and improve the safety of our fellow citizens when boating on our beautiful waterways."
Sherry Romanado
Member of Parliament for Longueuil — Charles-LeMoyne
"Transport Canada's support is vital to ensure the preservation and evolution of the Suivez la vague campaign. This will allow us to develop a youth component and customize best practices on the water to ensure a harmonious coexistence between users and people living near the water, while respecting the environment."
Sylvain Deschênes
Directeur, Programs and Member Services
Nautisme Québec
Quick Facts
- Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety supports prevention-based programs and encourages safe boating practices and compliance with safety regulations.
- The Program funds up to 75% of total eligible project expenditures, up to a maximum of $400K per recipient.
- Since 2009, 64 recreational boating safety projects across Canada were funded under the Program, totalling $8.7M.
- According to the Canadian Red Cross, there are an average of 160 water-related fatalities while boating each year. Nearly 90 per cent of boaters who drowned were not wearing, or not properly wearing, a lifejacket.
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Associated Links
- Transport Canada - Boating Safety Contribution Program
- North American Safe Boating Awareness Week
- Transport Canada Office of Boating Safety
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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SOURCE Transport Canada
Delphine Denis, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-991-0700, [email protected]; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055, [email protected]
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