Boat licensing changes proposed

I receive the following email from OFAH:

Do you use a boat with an outboard motor (10 horsepower or greater) that requires a Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL)? Or are you planning on applying for a Pleasure Craft Operator Card?
If so, Transport Canada is proposing changes that will impact you. Here’s a breakdown of some of the changes that are being considered:

1. A $15 fee to process an application to obtain a new PCL or to renew, transfer, or duplicate a PCL.
2. A 5-year expiration period for all PCLs (currently no expiry or 10-year expiration period).
3. Easier cancellation of PCLs if the holder of a lifetime PCL fails to apply, or if a PCL holder fails to renew a PCL.
4. Reduced timeframe for owners to notify of a name or address change from 90 days to 30 days, and specify 30 days for the buyer to notify of a sale or transfer of a vessel.

Transport Canada is also proposing changes to the Pleasure Craft Operator Competency Program by introducing an accreditation application fee of $5,000, payable every five years by course providers, and implementing a maintenance and test materials access fee of $8.50 for each Pleasure Craft Operator Card that’s issued. Therefore, it is expected that course providers could increase course fees in order to recuperate these additional expenses.
The OFAH will be providing feedback on behalf of the outdoors community. We also represent these interests through our longstanding involvement on the Ontario Recreational Boating Advisory Committee - a platform to share angler and hunter perspectives with government officials.
Be sure to voice your opinion directly. To learn more about Transport Canada’s proposals and submit comments, go to https://letstalktransportation.ca/mss.


And I don't understand what all this stuff means. Do we, boat owners, have to do some thing or not?

Ok, it seems that it's a proposal only. But how much it will affect us?
I surprised that it was not discussed previously...

I got it also.
Every boat owner should send in some very NEGATIVE responses to Transport Canada over this crap!
We shouldn’t have to do this again EVER!!
Its just a money making scheme for them, and does nothing to improve on what we already did on this the first time through.
Everyone, please tell them where to shove this!

It is going to get expensive. I have 6 boats registered.

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Originally Posted by fishermccann

It is going to get expensive. I have 6 boats registered.

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Gord I got my 12 footer with two wooden paddles on my wee Lake do you think I will be OK.LOL

Here comes another cash grab which has heretofore been an untapped taxation resource. Boat registration required for all mechanically powered watercraft over 10hp has been free,initially,except that all registrations at purchase are automatically reported to CRA to collect HST. That's the only reason boats require licenses. Now,the government will charge a user fee for all registrations,reduce the duration from 10 years to 5. Somebody has to pay for all this cash floating around. This is just the start.

Would think we'll all be "Grandfathered" it sounds like it applies to new applicants .
Glen

and I guess we would have to get some sort of vessel safety with the new 5 year thing ... hope it doesnt go through ..

they do however need to change the licensing for operators ... Toooo many new boaters this year running into bridges and some horrific accidents on lake O ...

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Originally Posted by Ata83

and I guess we would have to get some sort of vessel safety with the new 5 year thing ... hope it doesnt go through ..

they do however need to change the licensing for operators ... Toooo many new boaters this year running into bridges and some horrific accidents on lake O ...

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Lot's have operator's cards. They can be completed on line. There's too many drunks and stoners on the water. Enforcement simply can't keep up.

the online part is the problem I think, no actual training ... and ppl think its just like driving a car, until ...

at least with the Toronto ports permit, there is docking and retrieving test ... but past summer, none of the new boaters had it.

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Originally Posted by G Skinner

Would think we'll all be "Grandfathered" it sounds like it applies to new applicants .
Glen

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I had to renew my boat licence this year, after 10 years. There was no cost....this time !! They will no doubt start charging for a renewal...

Do you mean the Pleasure Craft Operators Card? Mine is so worn you can't see anything. Just a 12 ft tin with a 7.5

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

Do you mean the Pleasure Craft Operators Card? Mine is so worn you can't see anything. Just a 12 ft tin with a 7.5

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No,not those. They're a separate entity designed to safety train operators,likely the ONLY one to do so. IMHO,the rest is a cash grab. This deals,specifically,with federal vessel registration ie: the registration numbers that are required on the side if every vessel with 10hp or larger (eg: 52E54321). Go to the Transport Canada website. Go to the registration page,fill it out as directed,enter those registration numbers and print off a paper copy that's supposed to be carried on every boat. I keep both the registration and PCOC together in my tackle bag inside a zip lock to keep it dry. If you're stopped on the water by a marine patrol,those documents are the first thing they ask for. Don't leave home without them.

The way I see it it's nothing more than a cleverly disguised cash grab and nothing to do with safety. As such I have a hard time believing that no matter what anyone submits as comments they already have their minds made up. Saying that I have registered and will pass on my thoughts anyway.

Ok, let's come back to the original question.
I checked the link they provided.
The website asked to register first. OK, I did.
But then there is no easy way to give feedback. I actually don't understand how to do it at all.
I expected that either MOT or OFAH would create a questioner where we could enter 'agree' or 'not agree' on certain positions.
Or OFAH would compose a letter (petition) which we could sign. Something like that.
It's quite difficult for me (and I think for many) to respond otherwise.
Any suggestions?

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Originally Posted by MarkD

Ok, let's come back to the original question.
I checked the link they provided.
The website asked to register first. OK, I did.
But then there is no easy way to give feedback. I actually don't understand how to do it at all.
I expected that either MOT or OFAH would create a questioner where we could enter 'agree' or 'not agree' on certain positions.
Or OFAH would compose a letter (petition) which we could sign. Something like that.
It's quite difficult for me (and I think for many) to respond otherwise.
Any suggestions?

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I just sent an email to my MP, voicing my concerns....

The principle behind boaters having a PCOC was to ensure operators knew what they were doing as to safe operation. The fact the government downloaded the program to the private sector for implementation from the get-go ensured there wouldn't be another governmental bureaucracy mired in red tape and sucking up tax funding like a Hoover vacuum. Now,the government is proposing to "enhance" (more Liberal bullshyte) the PCOC to make it a license,too,so it can be suspended much like a driver's license. Just what we need,more useless federal programs to burn up taxes.

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

I just sent an email to my MP, voicing my concerns....

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Could you please send me a PM with the text you sent your MP. I'll do the same.
Thank you.

Can you say revenue generator? The COVID dinner cheque is coming and every needs to chip in - LOL

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

No,not those. They're a separate entity designed to safety train operators,likely the ONLY one to do so. IMHO,the rest is a cash grab. This deals,specifically,with federal vessel registration ie: the registration numbers that are required on the side if every vessel with 10hp or larger (eg: 52E54321). Go to the Transport Canada website. Go to the registration page,fill it out as directed,enter those registration numbers and print off a paper copy that's supposed to be carried on every boat. I keep both the registration and PCOC together in my tackle bag inside a zip lock to keep it dry. If you're stopped on the water by a marine patrol,those documents are the first thing they ask for. Don't leave home without them.

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T 21. I was stopped and checked by the OPP marine unit twice this past summer. They only asked to see my PCOC. I told him I had my registration , and asked if they wanted to see it as well. Both times, after checking my PCOC, they replied that it was not necessary, and I was free to go. They just wanted to get close enough to smell my breath, checking for drinkers they were.

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Originally Posted by MarkD

And I don't understand what all this stuff means. Do we, boat owners, have to do some thing or not?

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You don't have to do a thing. Just forewarning of likely changes that will affect those that have boats with engines >10hp and/or longer than 6 meters, and groups that offer courses and testing for the Pleasure Craft Operator's Card. The changes involve fees, so don't worry, if you are affected by these changes the government will surely contact you to collect their new fees.

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Originally Posted by fishermccann

T 21. I was stopped and checked by the OPP marine unit twice this past summer. They only asked to see my PCOC. I told him I had my registration , and asked if they wanted to see it as well. Both times, after checking my PCOC, they replied that it was not necessary, and I was free to go. They just wanted to get close enough to smell my breath, checking for drinkers they were.

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I don't know why they didn't check for it. They sure could have. Federal Fisheries Officers ask for them every time. Along with 2" letters and numbers afixed to both side boards of the boat,Sect 101 (a) (b) and (c) Small Vessel Regs. require licenses to be carried on board.

T21 . I always have it on the boat. Each boat. I agree they could have, I had it ready, but they didn't bother to look. Did not check for anything else on the boat either, lifejackets etc. It is a relatively new Lund , with most of the safety stuff visible, fire extinguisher, etc, so I assume that they had bigger fish to fry. It was obvious that they did not care about the state of the boat, only the operator.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

I don't know why they didn't check for it. They sure could have. Federal Fisheries Officers ask for them every time. Along with 2" letters and numbers afixed to both side boards of the boat,Sect 101 (a) (b) and (c) Small Vessel Regs. require licenses to be carried on board.

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I have been checked several times and have yet to be asked about registration etc.. I keep everything in the watertight bailing can that has a rope, flashlight etc....on board.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

The principle behind boaters having a PCOC was to ensure operators knew what they were doing as to safe operation. The fact the government downloaded the program to the private sector for implementation from the get-go ensured there wouldn't be another governmental bureaucracy mired in red tape and sucking up tax funding like a Hoover vacuum. Now,the government is proposing to "enhance" (more Liberal bullshyte) the PCOC to make it a license,too,so it can be suspended much like a driver's license. Just what we need,more useless federal programs to burn up taxes.

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Would the revenue from fine's not go to the provincial Government.

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

Would the revenue from fine's not go to the provincial Government.

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That's the way it used to work. All ticket revenue written by the OPP went to Ontario,tickets written by city coppers went to the city and federal officer's tickets went to Ottawa.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

That's the way it used to work. All ticket revenue written by the OPP went to Ontario,tickets written by city coppers went to the city and federal officer's tickets went to Ottawa.

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Do we have federal officers enforcing these laws, I thought it would be the OPP ?

Anyone know where to get a lost pleasure craft license reprinted? I'm sure there's a fee....but I can't seem to find mine now that I think of it.....

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Originally Posted by LiveBates

Anyone know where to get a lost pleasure craft license reprinted? I'm sure there's a fee....but I can't seem to find mine now that I think of it.....

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This site may help you...

https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-trans...stions-answers

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

Do we have federal officers enforcing these laws, I thought it would be the OPP ?

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We can get checked by RCMP around here...

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

We can get checked by RCMP around here...

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So Rick the revenue from your enforcement goes into the Federal pockets and the OPP enforcing the same laws their fines go to Provincial coffers?

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Originally Posted by LiveBates

Anyone know where to get a lost pleasure craft license reprinted? I'm sure there's a fee....but I can't seem to find mine now that I think of it.....

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I went back to the original issuing agency on-line just this past year. My card was broken into 3 pieces. It cost $10 and they sent 2 replacement cards. I had it in a week.

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

This site may help you...

https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-trans...stions-answers

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Thanks pal, I appreciate it.

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

So Rick the revenue from your enforcement goes into the Federal pockets and the OPP enforcing the same laws their fines go to Provincial coffers?

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I assume RCMP revenue goes to the feds. It did years ago when I was with them. The OPP revenue goes to the municipality they work in. Chatham-Kent OPP fine revenue comes back to the municipality......unless things have changed...

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

I went back to the original issuing agency on-line just this past year. My card was broken into 3 pieces. It cost $10 and they sent 2 replacement cards. I had it in a week.

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Thanks, I just emailed the company that issues them. Hopefully have one back shortly...

Hello,
I’m new to Ontario. Do I need to get a watercraft license for a 10.5 foot Zodiac (Inflatable) with a 6 HP Yamaha.
Can some on clarify this for me?
Thanks

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Originally Posted by Retiredanglers

Hello,
I’m new to Ontario. Do I need to get a watercraft license for a 10.5 foot Zodiac (Inflatable) with a 6 HP Yamaha.
Can some on clarify this for me?
Thanks

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Only pleasure craft with motors 10 hp and over require a licence and registration numbers. You do require an Operators licence though.

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Originally Posted by 410001661

Can you say revenue generator? The COVID dinner cheque is coming and every needs to chip in - LOL

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They can take the boater fees and shove them, the government will be getting far less from me from here on out. Cash is king and imo if the federal government wants to handout until there's nothing left, I won't be participating in payback schemes. Honesty is null and void with our government, why would they expect honesty from people and businesses their trying to destroy?.

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Originally Posted by Retiredanglers

Hello,
I’m new to Ontario. Do I need to get a watercraft license for a 10.5 foot Zodiac (Inflatable) with a 6 HP Yamaha.
Can some on clarify this for me?
Thanks

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Pleasure Craft Operator's Card,specifically,to operate any powered watercraft. The courses can be done on-line at any number of websites.