No. GC002/06
For release March 31, 2006
TORONTO — Canadians will find it easier to license their pleasure craft, and
will benefit from improved boating safety when Service Canada starts delivering
pleasure craft licensing on behalf of Transport Canada starting April 1, 2006.
The announcement was made today by Lynne Yelich, Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, on behalf of Diane Finley,
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and Peter Van Loan,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of Lawrence Cannon, Minister of
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Canadians can obtain a pleasure craft licence at one of the 320 Service Canada
Centres located across the country. It will take approximately 10 minutes to
process an application and issue a licence.
"The Government of Canada is improving the way government programs and services
are delivered to Canadians," said Ms. Yelich. "In transferring pleasure craft
licensing to Service Canada, our government has made it more convenient for
Canadians to apply for a pleasure craft licence by offering the service in more
communities."
A pleasure craft licence is the number placed on the side of each pleasure
craft, as required under the Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping
Act. There is no cost to obtain a pleasure craft licence. The number is used to
assist law enforcement and search and rescue organizations in identifying each
individual pleasure craft.
"We're happy to be working with Service Canada to modernize pleasure craft
licensing and promote safety," said Mr. Van Loan. "The Government of Canada
wants to help boat owners get out on the water as quickly and as safely as
possible. By increasing choice, service and safety, this government is working
with boat owners — not only for the season, but also for the generations of
boat-owners to come."
Service Canada's automated licensing system will provide search and rescue and
law enforcement agencies with round-the-clock access to licence information so
they can quickly and more effectively respond to marine emergencies.
"Any program that shortens the time required for a water rescue will save
lives," said Jeff Evans, Chair of Public Relations for the Canadian Power and
Sail Squadrons, a volunteer organization that delivers boating safety courses to
recreational boaters.
Under an agreement with Service Canada and Transport Canada, pleasure craft
licences will be available at 36 Service New Brunswick Centres as well as
Service Canada locations in New Brunswick.
About 2.2 million pleasure boats are licensed in Canada, with an average of
105,000 new and transferred licences granted annually.
Find the nearest Service Canada Centre by visiting servicecanada.gc.ca. Visit
www.boatingsafety.gc.ca for information on boating safety.
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Contacts:
Kirsten Goodnough
Communications
Transport Canada
(613) 993-0055
Media Relations
Service Canada
(819) 994-5559
Colleen Cameron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Human Resources and Social
Development
(819) 994-2482
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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