May 15, 2015 – Wiarton, Ontario – Transport Canada
Today the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, joined by Larry Miller, Member of Parliament for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, launched North American Safe Boating Awareness Week and announced new funding for boating safety projects under Transport Canada’s Boating Safety Contribution Program (BSCP).
The BSCP is a contribution funding program that promotes boating safety in Canada by financially supporting initiatives that highlight the importance of safe boating practices. The program includes two components – one geared towards recreational boating safety and the other focused on safe boating practices onboard small commercial fishing vessels. The BSCP provides funding of up to 75 per cent of the total eligible cost of a project.
This year, under the Recreational Boating Safety component of the BSCP, five organizations are receiving a total of over $1 million for education and awareness projects that aim to increase the number of pleasure craft operators who follow safe boating practices, and that help to reduce loss of life, injuries and property damage due to boating accidents.
The Minister also announced a call for applications under the Recreational Boating Safety component of the BSCP for additional projects that promote safe boating practices which would start in the 2016 boating season. Applications will be accepted until October 15, 2015.
Since 2009, through the Boating Safety Contribution Program, the Government of Canada has provided approximately $2.9 million for 54 recreational boating safety projects across Canada.
The Commercial Fishing Safety component of the BSCP was launched in April 2015. Under this component, up to $300,000 per year over three years is available to support education and awareness initiatives that promote safe boating practices onboard small commercial fishing vessels across the country. Applications for funding under this component will be accepted until June 15, 2015.
Zach Segal
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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