In Canada, everything related to navigation falls under federal jurisdiction. Consequently, the use of boats is controlled by the Boating Restriction Regulations as enacted under the Canada Shipping Act. It is not controlled by municipal regulations. All modifications must go through Ottawa. Transport Canada is legally responsible for the Regulations while the administration falls under the authority of the department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The Boating Restriction Regulations was adopted in 1972 for the convenience and protection of the public. In Quebec, municipalities can take advantage of these federal regulations since 1978.

What type of restrictions are authorized by the Regulations?

The Regulation has 9 different types of restrictions:

• Banning of all boats including canoes, kayaks, rowboats and others. This restriction can apply to a sector of a lake only as is the case at lake Trois-Lacs where all boats are forbidden in the swimming area. There are seven lakes in Quebec where this restriction is applied.

• Banning of all motor boats including electric motors. This restriction can be applied to an entire lake or to a specific sector only. This is the case at lake Memphremagog where the restriction applies only in certain sectors such as the Magog Bay. There are 23 lakes in Quebec where this restriction is applied.

• Banning of all motor boats except for electric ones. It may seem easy to apply this restriction but one must first of all take into consideration the size of the lake. If may not be feasible to use an electric motor on a very long lake. There might be some discontent among the members of the association on the issue. Follow FAPEL's advice and don't apply this restriction if the area of the lake is greater than 30 hectares. There are 163 lakes in Quebec where this restriction applies.

• Limiting the power of motors. This restriction was very popular a few years ago but it now applies only to lakes with a controlled access such as lakes situated in parks or other areas where registration is required.

• Speed limits: 10, 25, 40, 55 or 70 km/hr. There are 128 lakes in Quebec where this restriction applies. It is the restriction that offers the most flexibility. Here are some examples:

• Two different speed limits can be authorized on a lake: one can apply within 30, 50 or 100 meters of the shore and the second one can apply outside of the first designated zone. This is the case at lake Archambault (Saint-Donat) where the speed limit is 10 km/hr within 100 meters of the shore and 55 km/hr outside that zone.

• A speed limit can be authorized within 30, 50 or 100 meters of the shore and there can be no speed limit outside of the designated zone. This is the case at lake Masson (Sainte-Marguerite-du-lac-Masson) where the only speed limit imposed is 10 km/hr within 60 meters of the shore.

• A speed limit can be applied to the entire lake. This the case at lake Alain (Saint-Raymond) where the limit is 10 km/hr everywhere.

• The speed limit can vary depending on the time of day. This is the case at lake Viceroi (Ripon) where the limit is 55 km/hr except between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. when it is 25 km/hr.

• The speed limit can vary within different sectors of the lake. This is the case at lake Des Seize Îles (Lac-des-Seize-Îles) where the limit is 16 km/hr in the strait between Sparling and Amsden islands. It is also the case at lake Aux Quenouilles (Val-des-lacs) where the limit is 10 km/hr in the bay at l'Auberge du Petit Bonheur.

• Banning of water skis, aquaplane or other similar equipment. A very important restriction that is too often forgotten. It is applied on 97 lakes in Quebec. It offers a variety of possibilities such as:

• The restriction is applied within 100 meters of the shore at lake Sombre (Saint-Donat).

• It is applied at lake Manitou (Ivry-sur-le-lac) except between 10 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m..

• It is applied at lake des Sables (Saint-Agathe-des-Monts) in the Major Bay.

• It is applied on the entire lake Sainte-Adèle (Sainte-Adèle)

• Finally, it must be mentioned that regattas, boat races or flotillas need to have the authorization of the department of Fisheries and Oceans.
  

A universal restriction!

In 1992, the Boating Restriction Regulations were modified to authorize a universal restriction. From then on, there is a maximum speed of 10 km/hr within 30 meters of the shore on all lakes in Canada. However, in Quebec, the Minister of Municipal Affairs has refused to apply this restriction ignoring FAPEL's incessant reminders. What an attitude!

Note that, in its present form,
the Boating Restriction Regulations does not permit
the control of jetskis independently from other boats.

Exception!
The regulations do not apply to cottagers, owners of a lakeshore cottage without an access road. They can use a boat to get to their cottages.