Boating Bill

The first is was the announcement that on June 12th. Bill S233, known as the Boating Bill, passed through its third reading in the House of Commons.  It passed on an open voice vote. This means that US boaters traveling through Canadian waters, not planning on anchoring, rafting to another boat in Canadian waters or landing on a Canadian island or mainland, may do so without calling into Canadian Customs.  A similar Bill was introduced and passed through the Canadian Senate by Senator Bob Runciman (Brockville). As Brown explained when interviewed on CBC Radio, “One reason for the change is easing the minds of boaters who may drift across the border during their travels without realizing it.”  He also hoped that commerce on both sides of the border would revive.  Many of us remember when a US boater was arrested and fined for not reporting into to customs.